Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was set to become the first Somali match official to referee at the global tournament, was turned away by US authorities after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul over the weekend.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the official was subjected to additional screening before being deemed inadmissible due to “vetting concerns”. Authorities have not publicly disclosed further details regarding the decision.
The development comes as a significant blow to Somali football. Mr Artan is widely regarded as one of the continent’s finest officials and was recently named Africa’s Best Male Referee for 2025.
His selection by FIFA was seen as a major milestone, following years of steady progression through high-profile African and international competitions.
His exclusion means Somalia will lose a rare opportunity for representation on football’s biggest stage.
The incident has also prompted renewed scrutiny over how strict US immigration and security protocols may impact participants and international sporting events hosted in the country.
Neither FIFA nor the Somali Football Federation has released an official statement regarding his deportation.
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