A U.S. official confirmed on Tuesday night that Omar Artan, the Somalian soccer referee who was barred from entering the country prior to the World Cup, was denied entry due to “links with suspected members of terrorist organizations.”
The official, who wished to remain anonymous because of visa privacy laws, made the statement regarding Artan’s situation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, stated that there was a “very good reason” for Artan’s entry denial but did not disclose further details.
Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport on Saturday over “vetting concerns,” as indicated by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection statement, which refrained from elaborating on those concerns. He had been granted a visa to travel to the U.S. the previous week by the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that handled the paperwork.
Artan recounted to The New York Times that he was interrogated for 11 hours at the Miami airport by border officials, who inquired about the purpose of his travel and discussed Somali politics as well as the al-Shabab militant group opposing the government. He presented FIFA documentation and photos from his refereeing career during their questioning.
Following his interrogation, he was placed in a holding cell and subsequently returned on a flight to Istanbul, where he had originally connected to the U.S.
“I believe they have an issue with my country,” Artan told The New York Times, emphasizing that he possessed the correct documentation and visa. He mentioned that no explanation was given for his entry refusal, according to the Times’ report.
Artan, who was recognized as Africa’s best male referee in 2025, was poised to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after being included in FIFA’s final list for the tournament released two months ago. FIFA clarified that it had no role in the immigration process and was informed by U.S. officials that Artan’s “status will not be changed at present.”
The Somalia Youth and Sports Ministry announced on Tuesday that its embassy in the U.S. is working to address the issue to enable Artan to participate in the World Cup, which starts Thursday.
Denial of entry to a FIFA-appointed match official into a World Cup host nation is an exceedingly rare occurrence.
Artan was scheduled to join other World Cup referees at their training location in Miami.
Somalia is among approximately 40 nations facing new travel restrictions imposed during the Trump administration’s immigration reforms. This has raised concerns that fans, players, and officials from these nations—most of which are African—may be denied entry for the World Cup despite holding valid visas.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.