Award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been dropped from the World Cup referee list following the U.S. government’s decision to deny him entry into the country, Al Jazeera reported on June 9, 2026. Artan, known for his international reputation, held a valid visa but was reportedly not allowed to enter the United States.

Referee’s Background and Achievements

Omar Abdulkadir Artan has built a distinguished career in refereeing, earning awards and recognition for his work at both regional and international levels. His inclusion in the World Cup roster was a testament to his qualifications and the trust placed in his ability to uphold the integrity of the sport.

U.S. Entry Denial Raises Questions

According to the report. The U.S. government’s decision to deny Artan entry has raised questions about the reasons behind the move; Despite having a valid visa, the referee was reportedly not granted access to the country. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not provided a public explanation for the denial.

FIFA officials confirmed the removal of Artan from the list of appointed referees for the World Cup, while the governing body said the decision was made in consultation with U.S. authorities, but no further details were disclosed. FIFA has not commented on the specific circumstances of the visa denial.

Impact on the World Cup

The removal of Artan from the referee list has created a gap in the pool of qualified officials available for the World Cup, while FIFA has not yet announced whether a replacement will be appointed or if the tournament will proceed with a reduced number of referees.

Artan’s exclusion has also drawn attention from football officials in Somalia and the broader African continent, who expressed concern over the implications for international representation in the tournament. A statement from the Somali Football Federation said the situation was “regrettable” and urged FIFA to clarify the reasons for the decision.

As the World Cup approaches, FIFA faces the challenge of ensuring a sufficient number of qualified referees are available to manage the high-stakes matches; the incident involving Artan highlights the complexities of international travel and the potential impact on sports events.