Somali Referee Omar Artan Comments on His Exclusion from the World Cup

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan received a painful blow just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup finals, following a decision to ban him from entering the United States, which led to his official exclusion from officiating in the tournament.

FIFA confirmed that Artan will not be able to participate in any of the World Cup matches or attend the special training sessions for referees, following the decision by U.S. authorities to deny him entry into the country, despite being included in the official list of accredited referees for the tournament.

The Somali referee is the first from his country to be chosen to officiate World Cup matches, making his exclusion a major shock in Somali and African football circles alike.

Initially, U.S. authorities did not provide official explanations for the ban, but Somalia is listed among the countries subject to travel restrictions to the United States, which sparked speculation that the decision was related to these measures.

In response, Sisi Aden Abshir, a senior advisor at the Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports, expressed deep regret over the decision, stating that Artan's exclusion is not only a professional matter but also raises broader questions about justice and equal opportunities in global football.

The Somali official explained that the 34-year-old referee had a valid entry visa before being denied entry into U.S. territory and sent back to Istanbul, Turkey, where he was residing.

In his first comment on the incident, Artan told Agence France-Presse: 'Despite the circumstances I am going through, I am in a positive mood and focused on the upcoming challenges in my refereeing career.'

He concluded: 'I would like to thank the football family for their messages, and I wish my colleagues all the best and success during the World Cup. I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.'

This development comes just days before the start of the global tournament, in an incident that sparked widespread controversy within sports circles, especially since the Somali referee was preparing to write a new chapter in his refereeing career on the world's largest football stage.