United States rejects Somali referee for the 2026 World Cup

The controversy erupts prematurely in the 2026 World Cup: Omar Abdulkadir Artan, recognized as the best CAF referee in 2025 by FIFA, has been rejected in his attempt to enter the United States, preventing him from fulfilling his anticipated participation in the tournament. This marks a milestone for Somalia, as Artan was set to be the country's first referee to attend a World Cup, causing great disappointment for him and his surroundings due to circumstances beyond his refereeing performance and will.

Detained in Miami and sent to Turkey

After receiving the rejection, Artan had to return to his nation, thus truncating a historic achievement for Somali football. Before embarking on the return journey, the referee was detained in Miami and later sent to Turkey, according to reports from various international media and specialized journalists. This decision was made after several days of complications in obtaining the necessary documentation to travel to US soil, despite efforts made with the support of authorities and the Somali embassy in Kenya.

Uncertainties about the reason for rejection

So far, neither FIFA nor the US government have provided explanations for the rejection of Artan, creating uncertainty about the reasons for this situation. It is expected that in the coming days, the facts will be clarified and whether there is any possibility of a solution to this unfortunate episode, which currently seems to mark a definitive farewell to the participation of the Somali referee in the 2026 World Cup.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Estados Unidos rechaza a árbitro somalí para el Mundial 2026