Somali referee dropped from World Cup: Omar Artan misses out on tournament after US visa denial
Somali referee Omar Artan has been barred from officiating at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry into the United States. FIFA confirmed the decision, noting that host country immigration policies remain outside their jurisdiction.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the tension between international sporting events and national immigration policies, potentially setting a precedent for future host nations.
Somalian referee Omar Artan to miss World Cup after US denies 34-year-old a visa to work during tournament; Artan was voted best referee in Africa in 2025, and was set to become first Somali to referee at men's World Cup finals
The article reports the facts of the visa denial and FIFA's official statement without injecting editorial opinion.
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