The United States denied entry over the weekend to soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate...

CAF Referee of the Year Omar Artan was reportedly denied entry into the US for the World Cup despite FIFA assurances that his visa issues were resolved.

Fifa emphasised that it was powerless to influence the decision.

US Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been denied entry after arriving to Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday.

June 8 : The United States denied entry over the weekend to soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match.A FIFA spokesperson said on Monday that Artan will not be able to train and officiate at the World Cup - which kicks off on Thursday

The United States denied entry over the weekend to football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match.A FIFA spokesperson said on Monday (Jun 8) that Artan will not be able to train and officiate at the World Cup - which kicks off on Thursday

June 8 : The United States denied entry over the weekend to soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match.A FIFA spokesperson said on Monday that Artan will not be able to train and officiate at the World Cup - which kicks off on Thursday

The United States denied entry over the weekend to soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match.A FIFA spokesperson said on Monday (Jun 8) that Artan will not be able to train and officiate at the World Cup - which kicks off on Thursday -

June 8 : The United States denied entry over the weekend to football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match.A FIFA spokesperson said on Monday that Artan will not be able to train and officiate at the World Cup - which kicks off on Thursda

June 8 : The United States denied entry over the weekend to football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match.A FIFA spokesperson said on Monday that Artan will not be able to train and officiate at the World Cup - which kicks off on Thursda

Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals, is dropped from the list of officials after he was denied entry to the United States.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, has been denied entry to the United States and sent back to Istanbul.This has dealt a devastating blow to his historic appointment as the first Somali to officiate at...

Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somalian to referee at the World Cup finals, is dropped from the list of officials after he was denied entry to the United States.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has reportedly been denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Artan is said to have been stopped by immigration officials upon arrival at Miami International Airport and was subsequently returned to Istanbul...

Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States after getting selected to officiate in the World Cup.

Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals, was reportedly stopped at Miami International Airport

Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States after getting selected to officiate in the World Cup. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed Monday that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been denied entry after arriving to Miami International…

Referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States on arrival in Miami and sent back to Istanbul. The episode has deepened scrutiny of visa restrictions and travel disruptions ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Somali referee Omar Artan denied entry to the U.S., won't officiate in the FIFA World Cup due to visa issues.

Fifa said Omar Artan was refused entry after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday, adding that it was powerless to influence the decision.

FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.In a statement released on Tuesday, world football's governing body said Artan would be unable to train or officiate at the tournament after...

Somali referee Omar Artan won't officiate in the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.

June 9 : Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio will take charge of the opening match of the FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, leading a three-man Brazil team for the curtain-raiser in Mexico City.Compatriots Bruno Pires and Bruno Boschilia will be Sampaio's assistants in Thursday’s Group A inaugura

Discover how FIFA's record-breaking payments for referees at the 2026 World Cup are set to enhance their earnings amid significant rule changes in football.

Miami : A Somali referee selected for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been denied entry into the United States due to "vetting concerns", according to US

Somali referee Omar Artan won’t officiate in the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.

FIFA has confirmed that referee, Omar Artan from Somalia, will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup after he was denied entry into the United States. In a

A Somali referee who was set to make history as the first official from his country to work at a FIFA World Cup has reportedly been denied entry to the United States

David Beckham names England and Japan as top contenders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reflecting on his unforgettable World Cup experiences and nature of competition.

Somali referee Omar Artan's World Cup dream is shattered after being denied US entry. FIFA explains the controversy amid widespread debate across football circles.

FIFA has officially appointed Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio to officiate the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2026.The highly anticipated fixture will kick off the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the...

Somalian top referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has broken his silence after being denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. Artan had been selected as one of the 52 referees for the global showpiece co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico...