Somali referee denied US entry, removed from FIFA World Cup 2026
Omar Artan, recognized as Africa's top referee in 2025, was denied entry into the US, preventing him from officiating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. This marks a significant setback for the first Somali national to have the opportunity to officiate at a World Cup.
Omar Artan, Africa's top referee in 2025, was set to become the first Somali national to officiate at a FIFA World Cup before being denied entry by US authorities