Also known as: Omar Abdulkadir Artan · Somali referee Omar Artan
Somali football referee, 2025 CAF men's referee of the year, denied US entry for 2026 World Cup over alleged terrorist associations.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
… Somali referee Omar Artan became arguably the highest-profile casualty of President Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown, when he was denied entry to the United States. …
Infantino slams World Cup critics for 'spreading hate'The Standard
… Somali referee Omar Artan became arguably the highest-profile casualty of President Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown, when he was denied entry to the United States.Infantino, however, defended FIFA's handling of the tournament. …
Infantino slams World Cup critics for 'spreading hate'Citizen Digital
Insulting referees is a right, rules European court By AFP July 07, 2026 07:33 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 gro …
Insulting referees is a right, rules European courtThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeCelebrated Somali football referee Omar Artan is confident of officiating in the next Fifa World Cup to be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain in 2030. …
Somali referee Omar Artan receives heroic welcome in NairobiCitizen Digital
Somali referee Omar Artan visits Nairobi after US visa setback By Jackson Kilonzi July 03, 2026 08:36 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Somali referee Omar Artan Audio By Vocalize Somali referee Omar Artan, w …
Somali referee Omar Artan visits Nairobi after US visa setbackCitizen Digital
… Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US for the World Cup, as have been many fans. …
Iran World Cup coach says 'impacted' by politics but ignoring 'hype'Citizen Digital
… "Our average price which is below 500 dollars is again the lowest of the American sports on average." -'We don't control everything'- Infantino also played down the controversy surrounding Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry after arriving in Miami. …
World Cup set for kickoff after high ticket prices, visa issues dog buildupCitizen Digital
Somali referee banned by US to officiate European Super Cup - UEFA By AFP June 11, 2026 04:45 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Referee Omar Artan who has made history as the first Somalian to be selected to …
Somali referee banned by US to officiate European Super Cup - UEFACitizen Digital
… But the refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa's leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that US President Donald Trump's immigration policy could leave deep scars on the tournament. …
Olympic chief confident for LA Games despite World Cup 'challenges'The Standard
Audio By VocalizeSomalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group D football match on January 23, 2024. [AFP] Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, was on Thursday named to officiat …
Somali referee banned by US to officiate European Super Cup UEFAFIFA president Gianni Infantino has responded to World Cup critics in an open letter, claiming they were "spreading hate and false rumours" and arguing the tournament delivered "only joy and happiness" despite controversies over ticket pricing and visa issues.
27 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has responded to World Cup critics in an open letter, claiming they were "spreading hate and false rumours" and arguing the tournament delivered "only joy and happiness" despite controversies over ticket pricing and visa issues.
27 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino dismissed World Cup critics in an open letter, saying they were "spreading hate and false rumours" while the tournament delivered "only joy and happiness" marked by 100% safety and security. The tournament faced pre-competition controversies including high ticket prices, visa issues, and geopolitical tensions across the three host nations.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that criticizing and insulting football referees is protected by freedom of speech, but suggesting officials are corrupt or criminal exceeds that protection. The court rejected most cases brought by Porto football club and its former officials over punishments for media attacks on referees following matches involving rival Benfica.
7 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Celebrated Somali football referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the USA for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, visited Nairobi where he was welcomed by Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed and government officials. Artan, the 2025 Caf men's referee of the year, said he is ready to partner with FKF to improve the state of football refereeing in Kenya and will officiate the UEFA Super Cup in Austria on August 12 between PSG and Aston Villa.
4 July 2026 · The Standard →
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US to officiate the ongoing World Cup, visited Nairobi on Friday and was welcomed by Kenyan leaders including FKF President Hussein Mohammed. Artan, the 2025 CAF men's referee of the year, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and noted his connection to Kenyan football through collaboration with local officials.
3 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoei said political tensions and visa issues have damaged preparations for the World Cup but insisted his players will not "pay attention to any of the hype." The team faces New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, marking the first time a World Cup host has hosted a country with which it is at war.
15 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, launched Thursday with Mexico taking on South Africa, featuring 48 teams and projected to generate $13 billion in total revenue. The tournament has faced criticism over high ticket prices and visa issues affecting a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans seeking entry to the United States.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an excellent and experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football competition.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said she was confident for the successful hosting of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles despite describing "challenges" for the World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday and is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. Artan was previously denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, and UEFA's appointment was announced as part of a cooperation accord with the African confederation.
11 June 2026 · The Standard →
The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, begins Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa; FIFA projects record $13 billion in revenue but faces criticism over ticket prices topping $30,000 and visa denials affecting referees, officials, and fans trying to enter the US.
11 June 2026 · The Standard →
UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the United States to reconsider its immigration practices ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, after US authorities barred Somali referee Omar Artan and others from entering the country, raising concerns about racial profiling affecting the tournament.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold a rare press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, facing tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has barred a top African referee, fans, and team officials from entering the country.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup finals, was barred from entering the United States and returned to Mogadishu, where he pledged to participate in the next World Cup in 2030 despite the rejection.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some Iranian team support staff. A US State Department official said the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for US entry.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Somalia's government expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and barred from officiating at the World Cup finals. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations," making him ineligible for admission.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somali referee Omar Artan, named referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, was denied entry to the United States and dropped from FIFA's World Cup officials list. A US State Department official said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," and Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the United States to reconsider its immigration practices ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, citing cases where fans, a top referee, and team officials were barred from entry. Turk warned that US President Trump's immigration policy could harm the tournament and called for an end to racial profiling and the dehumanization of migrants.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described as "unfortunate" the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for admission.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to face questions about ticket prices and US immigration restrictions that have barred a top African referee, fans and team officials from entering the country.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The US Customs and Border Protection said he was denied entry following a routine inspection, despite diplomatic engagement between Somalia, FIFA, and US authorities.
9 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA confirmed that award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States and will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Had he participated, Artan would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup; FIFA said it has no authority over host-country immigration decisions.
9 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The government reaffirmed "unwavering support" for Artan, expressing full confidence in his integrity and professionalism, though diplomatic efforts with US authorities and FIFA did not achieve a positive outcome.
9 June 2026 · The Standard →
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first from his country to officiate at World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. Somalia is on a travel ban list under President Donald Trump's administration, though Artan held a valid US visa.
8 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →