Somali soccer referee denied US entry, will miss World Cup debut - Reuters
Somali soccer referee denied US entry, will miss World Cup debut Reuters
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Notable Quotes
"FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr. Artan’s status will not be changed at present."
— Omar Abdulkadir Artan , Athlete
"FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications."
— Omar Abdulkadir Artan , Athlete
"Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community."
— Ciise Aden Abshir , Activist
"The U.S. should not ban anyone from our shores simply because of their race or their ethnicity."
— Edward Ahmed Mitchell , Activist
"I thank FIFA and CAF for their support and will maintain my refereeing standards as I look ahead."
— Omar Abdulkadir Artan , Athlete
"The referee was denied admittance for 'very good reason' but also declined to go into details."
— Andrew Giuliani , Politician
"I'm just a referee trying to live my biggest dream, to go to the World Cup."
— Omar Abdulkadir Artan , Athlete
"Despite the circumstances I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career."
— Omar Abdulkadir Artan , Athlete
"I commend the effort, professionalism and integrity shown by referee Omar, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis."
— Hassan Sheikh Mohamud , Politician
"Omar is among Africa's most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community."
— Ciise Aden Abshir , Activist
"I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future."
— Omar Abdulkadir Artan , Athlete
Key People
Andrew Giuliani leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup.
Ciise Aden Abshir is a sports ministry advisor in Somalia.
Edward Ahmed Mitchell is the deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
President of Somalia who called Omar Artan a symbol of inspiration.
Omar Artan is a Somali Fifa referee who was set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals.
Somali referee Omar Artan was set to become the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals.
A referee from Somalia who was set to make his World Cup debut.
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<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxNYUp2YkVORGFGRmdjNHJ2eTZmQ1U2ZFFTV25LYmhUb0dNa19faHhYLWx0eExlY3NTbVZDMDR0dHh0OFd5eWFTQ3dhc2FUMTE0akxXb2JHNmd3cjFkUWszcnRUZzhCN1pXcGNQZnYxTmJxWGZ5YjVHcGF4SDBwV0t4SFY1ZW9KY2VJXzhickZZejZOU2cwbzVSWnE5NmVXVFYteFk4bXJYQkJtVjRjWnM3UGlmWQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Somali soccer referee denied US entry, will miss World Cup debut</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the first Somali referee selected for a World Cup, was denied entry into the U.S. due to vetting concerns, preventing him from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA confirmed that Omar Artan, the first Somali referee selected for a World Cup, will not be able to officiate after being denied entry into the U.S. due to vetting concerns.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the first Somali referee selected for a World Cup, was denied entry into the U.S. due to 'vetting concerns' and will miss the tournament.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, citing 'vetting concerns'.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the U.S. just days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, preventing him from making history as the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match.
Omar Artan, a Somali referee set to make history at the World Cup, was denied entry into the U.S. due to unspecified 'vetting concerns' after arriving in Miami from Istanbul.
Omar Artan, set to become the first Somali to referee a World Cup match, was stopped at Miami International Airport after arriving from Istanbul and denied entry due to 'vetting concerns'.
Somalian referee Omar Artan will miss the World Cup after the US denied the 34-year-old a visa to work during the tournament; Artan was voted best referee in Africa in 2025, and was set to become first Somali to referee at men's World Cup finals.
Somali referee Omar Artan won’t officiate in the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Somali referee Omar Artan won't officiate in the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, FIFA confirmed.
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