Top African referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has reportedly been denied entry into the United States after arriving in the country ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to reports, the highly-rated match official was sent back to Turkey, with authorities yet to provide a clear explanation for the decision.
The development has sparked concerns within the African football community, given Artan’s reputation as one of the continent’s leading referees.
The Somali referee has officiated in several major Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions and has earned recognition for his performances on the international stage.
As of the time of filing this report, neither FIFA nor the relevant United States immigration authorities have issued an official statement regarding the incident.
