One of soccer's “most respected” referees barred from entering US to participate in 2026 World Cup
A Somali referee who was to officiate during this year's edition of the World Cup, which will start on Thursday, could not enter the United States, an official from Mogadishu denounced on Monday, quoted by AFP.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan “is among the most respected referees in Africa”, and “banning him from entering the United States and preventing him from refereeing (…) not only harms him personally, but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit and the spirit of fair play”, lamented Ciise Aden Abshir, senior adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Somalia.
Referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was part of a nine-man contingent from Africa, which includes three referees and six selected assistant referees, and was in charge of some CAF Champions League matches in 2026.
He traveled from Kenya, transited Turkey and finally arrived in the United States, only to be sent back to Turkey, notes News.ro.
According to close sources, cited by the French news agency, the referee holds a single-entry visa instead of the multiple-entry permit required to officiate World Cup matches in three countries.
The FIFA World Cup will take place in three countries (the United States, Mexico, Canada), from June 11 to July 19.
