Somali Referee Barred from U.S. Entry Ahead of World Cup 2026
Somali referee Omar Artan, poised to become Somalia’s first World Cup official, was denied entry to the United States at Miami despite a valid visa and is now in Istanbul. He was slated to officiate at World Cup 2026, and Somali officials say the denial undermines merit and fair play, noting travel-ban concerns as part of broader entry issues affecting officials ahead of the tournament.