In a written statement issued by Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, the government said it launched extensive diplomatic engagements after learning that the referee had encountered problems related to his admission into the United States.

“After it became known that referee Omar Artan faced challenges related to entry into the United States (Entry Denied), the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidency, carried out broad diplomatic efforts and negotiations with the U.S. government and FIFA to find an urgent solution to the matter. Unfortunately, despite those significant efforts, it was not possible to reach a resolution,” the statement said.

The Somali government expressed deep regret over the circumstances that prevented Omar Artan from participating in the FIFA World Cup tournament set to open in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The incident has sparked disappointment among Somali sports officials and football supporters, many of whom viewed Omar Artan’s participation as a historic milestone for Somali refereeing on the international stage.

Omar Artan had recently been selected among the African referees expected to officiate at the tournament after earning recognition as one of the continent’s top football officials.

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According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Omar underwent additional screening upon arriving in Miami from Istanbul, Turkey.

A CBP spokesperson said the inspection was part of standard procedures used to verify travelers’ information and determine eligibility for entry into the United States. Officials later concluded that the Somali referee was not eligible to enter the country due to security-related concerns, leading to his denial of entry.

U.S. authorities did not provide further details regarding the specific reasons behind the decision. However, Somalia is among the countries affected by travel restrictions and heightened immigration scrutiny introduced under the administration of President Donald Trump, resulting in stricter screening measures for travelers from those nations.

Omar Abdulkadir Aden was named Africa’s Best Male Referee in 2025 and had been selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to officiate matches at this year’s World Cup tournament.

FIFA stated that it has no authority over immigration procedures or visa decisions made by host countries. A spokesperson for the organization noted that the host government holds the final authority regarding visa approvals and permission for individuals to enter the country.

The incident comes amid broader concerns over entry restrictions affecting citizens from several countries, including Iran, as the Trump administration continues to tighten immigration and border security policies.

The development has sparked disappointment among Somali football supporters and sports observers, many of whom viewed Omar’s appointment as a historic achievement for Somali football on the international stage.

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