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Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into United States for upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, is now being linked to terror organisations by Trump administration. An official from President Donald Trump's administration claimed that Artan was deemed 'ineligible' for entry into US after his association with suspected members of terror organisations were discovered.
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“This individual was seeking admission to the United States. Upon further inspection by CBP [Custom and Border Protection], derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA),” a US official was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“The traveller was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA. President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country – full stop.”
Notably, Artan had a diplomatic passport and a single-entry visa into the USA. At the Miami International Airport on June 8, he was detained for several hours and questioned for 11 hours during immigration interview. Later, he was put on a flight back to Istabul, Turkey. The US robbed him a chance of becoming the first Somali referee in a FIFA World Cup game.
The BBC report further states that Artan couldn't have stayed outside the United States and officiated in matches played in Canada or Mexico as all on-pitch officials are in Florida for training, preparations and security.
Meanwhile, Artan got a hero’s welcome as he landed in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. Now, he intends to officiate at FIFA World Cup 2030 which will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Also, Uruguay, Argentina and Praguay will host one match each.
“I’d like to thank the officials, ministers, MPs and everyone. I want to thank my country and people for their support. Everything is pre-destined. FIFA supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu. I promise you that I’ll be officiating you in the next World Cup. Somalia, everywhere, I’m letting you know,” he said.
Anti-Somalia Trump administration
Somalia is one of the 12 countries banned by Trump in June 2025. He has made derogatory remarks about Somalia, even calling their people 'garbage', wanting them to leave the US.
“With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no anything,” he had said in December 2025. “They just run around killing each other. There’s no structure.”
FIFA president’s reaction to Artan case
FIFA president Gianni Infantino reacted to Artan's case, saying that the organisation cannot interfere in a decision taken by a government. He called the incident 'unfortunate'.
"It is unfortunate what happened to Omar, the referee from Somalia, but again we don't control everything," Infantino said.
"We try, we'll discuss, we'll see. Maybe sometimes it's good as well to chill, relax. We work on everything, we try to resolve everything."
Infantino went on to say that FIFA are 'not the kings of the world' and pointed out that Iran are playing in America which has been a daunting task.
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