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A Somali World Cup referee, who was denied entry into the US by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) days before the start of the tournament in North America, was flagged for “derogatory” information, including “association with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” a Trump administration official told Pak Gazette.
The flag made Omar Artan’s entry into the United States inadmissible.
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Referee Omar Artan arrives in Mogadishu, Somalia, after being denied entry into the United States on June 10, 2026. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP)
“This individual was seeking admission into the United States,” a Trump administration official said in a statement. “Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information was discovered, including an association with suspected members of terrorist organizations, which made the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
“The traveler was denied admission and provided immigration forms that provide the section of the law used to complete an expedited removal under INA 8235. President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threats to enter our country, period.”
Artan was denied entry to Miami International Airport on Saturday due to “investigative concerns,” CBP said in a statement. He was reportedly issued a visa to the United States last week, according to the Somali embassy in Kenya that processed it. He was scheduled to meet with other referees to train at his Miami base.
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Referee Omar Artan of Somalia faces the players after giving a penalty during the CAF Champions League final between AS FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns in Rabat, Morocco, on May 24, 2026. (Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP)
He returned home to Somalia on Wednesday and thanked his supporters.
“I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” he said. “I want the Somali public to feel comfortable with this and maintain trust.”
Somalia is one of three dozen countries subject to travel restrictions under the Trump administration as it has targeted illegal immigration. Artan was to be the first Somali referee to officiate at the World Cup and is among the best referees in Africa.
“It is up to all of us to defend the Somali name,” Artan said. “Somalia belongs to us, whether it’s in bad shape or good shape. That flag belongs to us and that passport belongs to us.”
Referee Omar Artan is greeted by supporters upon his arrival in Mogadishu, Somalia, on June 10, 2026, after being denied entry into the United States. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/Associated Press)
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The World Cup begins on Thursday and the United States, Mexico and Canada will host matches. The World Cup final will take place on July 18 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
