World Cup 2026: Old Social media post emerges as questions grow over Referee Omar Artan’s US entry denial

Fresh questions have emerged surrounding the decision to deny Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan entry into the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with an old social media post attributed to the official now circulating online.

Artan, who was selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup, was expected to become the first Somali referee to perform an on-field role at football’s biggest tournament.

However, his dream was halted after US immigration authorities refused him entry upon arrival in Miami, where match officials were scheduled to attend a mandatory pre-tournament seminar.

A screenshot widely shared on social media appears to show a post from an account bearing Artan’s name responding to a statement from the US Department of State regarding Somalia’s parliamentary elections in 2022.

The post contained criticism of US involvement in Somali affairs and has prompted speculation about whether past social media activity may have contributed to the immigration decision.

Neither US authorities nor FIFA have publicly confirmed that the post played any role in the denial of entry.

According to reports, Artan was questioned by immigration officials for several hours before being informed that he would not be allowed into the country.

The referee later stated that he had been asked questions relating to Somalia and security concerns during the screening process.

The United States has maintained that visa and entry decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account immigration laws, security assessments and vetting procedures.

FIFA has also emphasized that it has no authority over a host nation's immigration decisions.

The incident has sparked disappointment across Somalia and the wider African football community.

Artan is regarded as one of the continent’s leading referees, having officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations and several major CAF competitions.

He was also named CAF Referee of the Year, becoming a symbol of progress for Somali football.

Despite missing the World Cup, Artan has received strong support at home.

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre recently welcomed the referee and praised his resilience and professionalism following the setback, encouraging him to continue pursuing excellence on the international stage.

While the exact reasons behind the US decision remain unclear, the controversy has intensified debate about immigration policies and their impact on global sporting events, particularly when officials and athletes from affected countries are involved.