Denied at the Gate: World Cup Dreams Halted for Somali Referee
Published on: June 9, 2026, 3:48 a.m. | Source: Devdiscourse
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a Somali soccer referee, was denied entry into the United States over the weekend, preventing him from officiating at the World Cup. Despite having a valid visa, U.S. Customs deemed him inadmissible due to vetting concerns. FIFA stated that immigration decisions are beyond its influence.
