Somali Referee Withdraws from 2026 World Cup Due to U.S. Visa Denial
Referee Omar Abdulkadir Altan of Somalia has been prevented from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after U.S. authorities denied him entry. This setback marks a significant loss for one of Africa’s most esteemed match officials.
FIFA confirmed on Monday that Artan, selected as one of 52 referees for the tournament, will no longer participate after he was denied entry upon his arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday.
FIFA Confirms Referee’s Inability to Participate
A FIFA spokesperson stated, “Match official Omar Abdulkadir Altan will be unable to practice and officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to being refused entry to the United States.” The organization emphasized that it cannot influence immigration decisions made by host countries.
FIFA clarified, “We are not involved in the host country’s immigration policies, including visa evaluations. We have been informed that Mr. Artan’s status will remain unchanged.” The statement further noted that the host nation ultimately determines visa eligibility and entry permissions.
Concerns Over U.S. Immigration Screening
A representative from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mentioned that Artan faced additional scrutiny during standard immigration procedures before being deemed inadmissible. The agency reported, “Following the inspection, it was concluded that the traveler, who is set to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, could not enter the country due to screening concerns.”
Somalia continues to face travel restrictions imposed by U.S. immigration policy, complicating entry for its citizens.
Historic Opportunity for Somali Football Comes to a Close
This decision is particularly disappointing as Artan was poised to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. Since being appointed as a FIFA referee in 2018, he has earned a distinguished reputation within African football, having officiated at the 2023 African Cup of Nations and receiving the Confederation of African Football’s Male Referee of the Year award in 2025.
Somalia Expresses Disappointment
Siise Aden Absir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former captain of the national team, described the decision as a significant setback for both the authorities and the sporting community. “Omar Altan is one of Africa’s most respected referees and deserves unwavering support from the football world,” Absir commented. He further argued that denying Artan entry undermines essential values of fairness, merit, and equal opportunity within the sport.
Recently, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan as a “symbol of inspiration for a new generation of Somalis,” following the announcement of his historic World Cup selection.
