WASHINGTON— The United States denied entry to a Somali World Cup referee because he associated with “suspected members of terror organizations,” The Daily Wire can first report.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Monday that Omar Artan had been denied entry after he arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday. Artan was set to officiate matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
A senior administration official told The Daily Wire on Tuesday evening that he was seeking admission to the United States, but, upon further inspection, Customs and Border Patrol discovered “derogatory information,” including his “association with suspected members of terror organizations.”
That information made him ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
“The traveler was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA,” the senior administration official told The Daily Wire. “President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country – full stop.”
Referee Omar Artan holds the match ball during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 third place match between Colombia and France at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos on October 18, 2025 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Buda Mendes – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
On Monday, FIFA released a statement on Artan’s behalf and confirmed that Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup.
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” the Somali referee said in the statement. “I would like to thank FIFA and (the African federation) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future. I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
CBP explained earlier on Monday that Artan was “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry” during routine processing, to which all those entering the United States, including coaches, staff, and athletes, are subject.
“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” CBP noted. “CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”
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