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Overview
- Omar Abdulkadir Artan, one of 52 referees named by FIFA and set to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup, was denied entry to the United States and returned to Turkey after an additional inspection.
- Customs and Border Protection said the Miami inspection concluded he was inadmissible over background-verification concerns, and FIFA confirmed he cannot train or officiate at the tournament.
- The Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports says Artan held a valid U.S. visa, called the decision 'lamentable,' and has opened diplomatic channels with U.S. authorities and FIFA to seek a full explanation.
- Artan told reporters he was interrogated for many hours, held in a detention area and deported despite presenting FIFA credentials and travel documents.
- The case highlights limits on FIFA's authority over host-country borders and echoes other visa and access problems for players, staff and fans from countries affected by recent U.S. travel-restriction policies.