Somali World Cup Official Barred from U.S. Entry Ahead of Training Camp
TL;DR Summary
Omar Artan, a Somali designated as a top official for the 2026 World Cup, was denied entry into the United States after arriving in Miami for the tournament’s official training hub. He was interrogated for about 11 hours, detained, and then flown to Istanbul, with U.S. authorities citing vetting concerns. FIFA said it defers to host-country immigration processes, leaving Artan unable to participate in the World Cup as planned.
- Somali World Cup Referee Denied Entry Into U.S. Defector
- Somali Referee Says His World Cup Dream Is Dashed After U.S. Denies Entry The New York Times
- World Cup ref denied entry to the US was about to make history for Somalia AP News
- World Cup players and officials are being detained or barred entry into U.S. The Washington Post
- World Cup 2026: Somali referee Omar Artan to miss tournament after being barred from entering US BBC
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