I have right papers and visa - barred referee Artan
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States for the 2026 World Cup after an 11-hour immigration interview. Despite holding valid documents and a visa, he was repatriated, with FIFA confirming he will no longer participate in the tournament.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the impact of restrictive immigration policies on international sporting events and the challenges faced by officials from countries on travel ban lists.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Omar Artan refeered at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
The article reports the facts of the incident and includes statements from both the affected individual and the governing body without editorializing.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in