Somali referee Artan barred from entering USA
Somali referee Omar Artan has been barred from entering the United States, resulting in his removal from the 2026 FIFA World Cup officiating list. US authorities cited immigration protocols, while FIFA confirmed it has no jurisdiction over host country visa decisions.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the intersection of international sports events and national immigration policies, raising questions about inclusivity in global tournaments.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Omar Artan has been a Fifa referee since 2018
The report provides factual accounts from both the governing body and the affected individual without editorializing.
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