Omar Artan, an award-winning referee from Somalia, was set to become the first Somali official at the World Cup finals. However, he has been barred from entering the United States.
FIFA confirmed that Artan has been dropped from the list of referees for the tournament due to this entry denial. The decision has raised concerns about the implications for representation in international sports.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by officials from underrepresented nations and the impact of entry restrictions on their opportunities in global events.
Updates
Update at 01:53 UTC on 2026-06-09
Reuters World reported Somali soccer referee denied US entry, will miss World Cup debut Reuters.
Sources: Reuters World
Update at 14:43 UTC on 2026-06-09
France 24 reported Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football's governing body FIFA said on Monday. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement.
Sources: France 24