U.S. says Somali World Cup referee denied entry over “links to suspected terrorists”.

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MOGADISHU / WASHINGTON, June 10, 2026* – The Trump administration on Tuesday said Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup "because of his links to suspected members of terror organizations."

The statement came four days after Artan was turned back at Miami International Airport on June 6, despite holding a valid U.S. visa and FIFA accreditation. Artan, named Africa’s Referee of the Year 2025, was set to become the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup.

*Detained at Miami Airport*  

Artan landed in Miami on June 6 to join FIFA’s referee camp ahead of the tournament. U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained him for 11 hours, then held him in a cell for several more hours. By day’s end he was placed on a flight to Istanbul.

CBP initially said Artan was "determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns." The administration’s June 10 statement went further, directly citing links to suspected members of terror organizations as the reason for denial.

*Travel ban context*  

The denial came just three days before President Trump’s expanded travel ban took effect on June 9. Somalia is among the countries on the list, which suspends entry for nationals from nations the administration says have deficient information-sharing or elevated security risks.

*FIFA confirms Artan out of World Cup*  

FIFA on Tuesday confirmed that Artan “will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026” following the U.S. decision. A FIFA spokesperson said the organization is "not involved in host country immigration processes" and that a host government "ultimately determines who receives a visa."

Artan had been fully accredited by FIFA and was scheduled to work matches starting June 11. He told reporters he carried “the right papers and everything. I had the right visa… I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream.”

*Return to Somalia*  

Artan arrived back in Mogadishu on June 10 to a hero’s welcome. Thousands of supporters gathered at the airport and later at a stadium match where he was guest of honour. Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met Artan Wednesday and said he had "won the hearts of millions and secured his place in history."

*No evidence released*  

The Trump administration did not release evidence supporting the claim about Artan’s alleged links. U.S. officials said details of inadmissibility findings based on security grounds are typically classified. 

Under U.S. immigration law, individuals can be denied entry if an officer has “reasonable ground to believe” they have terrorist-related associations. The administration said the decision reflects standard border security procedures during a major global event.

FIFA has committed to paying Artan his full tournament fee despite his exclusion. In August, UEFA appointed him to referee the Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa.

The World Cup opened June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The incident is the highest-profile immigration case tied to the tournament so far.