Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, one of Africa’s most respected match officials, has been barred from entering the United States just days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending his hopes of officiating at football’s biggest stage.

Artan, 34, who was named the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Best Male Referee in 2025 and had become a symbol of sporting achievement for Somalia, arrived at Miami International Airport last weekend from Istanbul, where he had been based. Despite holding what was reported to be a valid visa, U.S. authorities refused him entry and sent him back, a decision that also means he will miss out on participating in the World Cup finals co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Artan was subjected to additional inspection upon arrival and was ultimately “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns,” without providing further specifics. CBP officials stressed that all travellers, including athletes, coaches and match officials, are evaluated individually under U.S. law before being allowed entry.

FIFA confirmed that Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the tournament and emphasized that it has no role in host country immigration decisions. “A host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

The decision has sparked controversy. Artan would have been the first Somali national to referee at a World Cup, a milestone that many in the global football community celebrated when his selection was announced earlier this year.

Somali football officials have criticized the U.S. action, arguing that the referee’s credentials and experience, including officiating at high-profile matches like the Africa Cup of Nations, should have guaranteed his participation. A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said the ban “undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit and the spirit of fair play.”

Analysts note that the move comes amid broader concerns about U.S. immigration policy in the lead-up to the World Cup. Somalia is among the countries included on a U.S. travel ban list, first expanded under the administration of former President Donald Trump, though the precise reasons for Artan’s denial have not been publicly disclosed.

Artan’s exclusion adds to tensions around travel restrictions affecting some teams and officials, with reports of visa issues also affecting members of other national squads. His absence will be felt not just by Somalia, but by fans and players who hoped to see one of Africa’s top referees officiating on football’s grandest stage.