UMVA has learned that Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States, where he was set to officiate at the World Cup this summer.
The 34-year-old Artan had traveled to the US via Kenya and Türkiye, holding a diplomatic passport granted in Nairobi in an attempt to ease his travel. However, despite having a valid visa and the diplomatic passport, he was turned back and has flown back to Istanbul.
Somalia is one of the countries on a travel ban list, and it appears that Artan's visa situation was not fully resolved as previously claimed by FIFA. The soccer governing body had said last week that Artan's visa issues had been cleared, and he would be available to officiate at the World Cup.
Artan is a highly respected referee in Africa, and his denial of entry to the US has sparked outrage. Ciise Aden Abshir, senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, said that denying Artan entry undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play.
Artan has had a successful refereeing career, officiating at the African Cup of Nations and the CAF Champions League final. He was named the CAF men's referee of the year in 2025 and became the first Somalian to be selected to referee at the World Cup finals this year.
The development is a significant blow to Artan and the football community, with many calling for support for the Somali referee. His ordeal highlights the challenges faced by officials from certain countries and the need for greater understanding and cooperation.
