All articles tagged with #omar artan
Omar Artan, the referee who was denied entry to the United States, will still receive FIFA's full fee; he was welcomed by supporters in Mogadishu upon his return, highlighting FIFA's continued payment despite the visa denial.
FIFA will pay Somali referee Omar Artan his full World Cup salary despite being barred from entering the United States and unable to officiate, following an 11‑hour border interrogation; FIFA says he will not be financially penalised and Artan — CAF Ref of the Year 2025 — will continue his refereeing career, including a UEFA Super Cup appointment and ambitions for the 2030 World Cup.
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States and thus missed the World Cup over alleged terror-related associations, has been appointed to referee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August in Salzburg, following discussions between UEFA and CAF. UEFA president Ceferin praised Artan, noting his status as the 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year and that he would have been the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup.
A Somali World Cup referee, Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and then cut from the FIFA tournament, returned to Mogadishu to a hero’s welcome, said he plans to attend the next World Cup, and urged Somali youths to be proud of their country.
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States as World Cup 2026 preparations proceed, spotlighting how U.S. immigration policy could disrupt FIFA’s tournament logistics. FIFA says it does not handle host-country visa decisions, but critics warn the crackdown could affect referees, players, and fans, raising questions about who really runs the event amid a chaotic lead-up.
Omar Artan, a FIFA-listed referee from Somalia who was poised to make history at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, derailing Somalia’s potential milestone and highlighting how visa barriers can affect international sports officials.
A Somali FIFA World Cup referee, Omar Artan, was denied entry to the United States in Miami on vetting grounds, forcing him to miss officiating at the tournament. CBP did not disclose the reason, and the move comes amid concerns that Trump-era immigration policies could hamper World Cup preparations. FIFA noted that host governments determine visa admissibility, while the U.S. will co-host the event with Mexico and Canada, with kickoff in June.
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.