Overview
- Omar Artan, a FIFA-nominated referee from Somalia, was refused entry at Miami International Airport after an additional CBP screening when he tried to enter the United States on Saturday.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the refusal followed a security review and confirmed the traveler was not admissible on security-related grounds.
- Somali officials say Artan held a valid U.S. visa but was sent back to Istanbul after the refusal, preventing him from taking part in the World Cup.
- FIFA has confirmed Artan will not be able to participate in the 2026 tournament and said it cannot intervene in host-country entry or visa decisions.
- The case highlights a wider friction between U.S. immigration rules and international sport because Somalia appears on a U.S. entry-restriction list, which could affect other participants and the tournament’s logistics and inclusion goals.