MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) 鈥� The referee from Somalia who was after arriving in Miami and subsequently dropped from the tournament by was set to make history for his country.
Omar Artan was due to be the first referee from to officiate at the World Cup after making FIFA鈥檚 final list for the tournament, which was announced two months ago. He is one of Africa鈥檚 top referees and was named the continent鈥檚 best male referee in 2025 by the African soccer body.
He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over 鈥渧etting concerns,鈥� said in a statement without giving details of those concerns. Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.
The move to deny a FIFA-appointed match official permission to enter the World Cup is highly unusual. Artan was due to meet up with other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami.
The Somalia Sports and Youth Ministry said on Tuesday that it had not been told why Artan was denied entry and its embassy in the U.S. was making diplomatic efforts to resolve the problem and still allow Artan to referee at the World Cup, .
Somalia was one of the countries subjected to last year under the Trump administration’s . That raised concerns that fans, players and officials from those countries 鈥� most of which are African 鈥� might be denied entry for the World Cup due to the larger crackdown despite having valid visas.
Artan subjected to 鈥榓dditional inspection鈥�
鈥淒uring processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP鈥檚 inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,鈥� CBP said in its statement on Monday. 鈥淔ollowing inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.鈥�
It didn’t name Artan and referred only to a Somali national who is a World Cup referee. Artan is the only Somali referee selected for the tournament.
CBP said all travelers seeking entry into the U.S. 鈥� including World Cup players, coaches and staff 鈥� were subject to CBP inspection and vetting.
鈥淎dmissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,鈥� the CBP statement said. 鈥淐BP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.鈥�
FIFA drops ref from World Cup
FIFA said it was not involved in the immigration processes and was informed by U.S. authorities that Artan鈥檚 鈥渟tatus will not be changed at present.鈥� It said Artan wouldn鈥檛 be able to train and officiate at the World Cup.
鈥淚n line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,鈥� FIFA said.
Still, FIFA and built close ties to as the U.S. prepared to co-host with Mexico and Canada, and had publicly stressed how that would help the World Cup run smoothly.
Infantino did not immediately comment on the issue, while FIFA released a statement on behalf of Artan.
鈥淒espite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,鈥� Artan said in the statement. 鈥淚 would like to thank FIFA and (the African soccer confederation) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future.
“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.鈥�
He was to make history for Somalia
Artan was praised as one of Africa’s best referees and was the ref for the decisive leg of the African Champions League final last month 鈥� Africa’s biggest club soccer game.
He spoke in a recent interview with the Al Jazeera TV network about how he was honored to be selected to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup and how he faced challenges in his , including sometimes having to change his route to training because of explosions in the streets of the capital, Mogadishu.
“You cannot give up as a referee,” Artan said in the interview. This (going to the World Cup) was my big, big target and I’m really excited.”
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Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa. AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed.
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