Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States and consequently ruled out of officiating at the FIFA World Cup after U.S. authorities cited alleged links to suspected members of terrorist organisations.

Artan, Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025 and the first Somali official selected for a FIFA World Cup, was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday.

According to a U.S. administration official, further screening by border authorities uncovered information that raised national security concerns.

“Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered,” the official said.

The official added that the findings rendered Artan inadmissible under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), making him ineligible to enter the country despite reportedly holding a valid visa.

“President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country, full stop,” the official stated.

The decision immediately ended Artan’s hopes of participating in the World Cup, which begins this week across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that the Somali referee would neither take part in pre-tournament preparations nor officiate at any matches during the competition.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

The denial has sparked disappointment in Somalia, where Artan’s appointment was widely celebrated as a landmark achievement for the country’s football community.

Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said it had unsuccessfully engaged both FIFA and U.S. authorities in an effort to secure the referee’s entry into the country.

“His international achievements are a source of honour and pride for the Somali people,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) also expressed sadness over the development, describing Artan’s World Cup appointment as the culmination of years of dedication, professionalism and integrity.

The federation said it had not received an official explanation for the decision and was continuing discussions with FIFA and relevant authorities to better understand the circumstances surrounding the case.

A senior Somali government official revealed that diplomatic efforts were still underway to seek a resolution, although no indication has been given that U.S. authorities are prepared to reverse their decision.

Speaking to Reuters at Istanbul Airport before returning to Somalia, Artan remained upbeat despite the setback.

“I feel very good now,” he said. “And I wanted to thank FIFA for supporting me all the way, and the Somali people also. So I am very grateful for FIFA and CAF also.”

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies ahead of the World Cup. Somalia is among the countries affected by travel restrictions introduced by the Trump administration, and concerns have been raised about the potential impact of such policies on players, officials and fans travelling to the tournament.

Defending the government’s position, CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said entry decisions are based on legal and security considerations rather than professional status.

“I don’t really care what you do for a living. The law is still the law,” Scott said at a Washington event.

“If you don’t meet the qualifications to come into the country, we’re not letting you in just because we want you to referee a game.”

For Artan, the decision means a historic World Cup debut has been put on hold, while questions continue to swirl over the circumstances that led U.S. authorities to classify one of Africa’s leading referees as a security risk.
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By Kunle Solaja.

As the countdown continues to the kick-off of the biggest FIFA World Cup in history, spread across 16 host cities in three North American countries, the United States is simultaneously preparing for another landmark event — the biggest Independence Day celebration in its history.

This year’s July 4 celebrations will mark the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, a historic milestone that will unfold against the backdrop of the FIFA World Cup, creating a unique convergence of sport, culture and national celebration.

According to U.S. Consul General Rick Swart, the tournament forms an important part of what American officials describe as the country’s “Decade of Sports” — an unprecedented period during which the United States hosts many of the world’s premier sporting events.

“The World Cup is happening within the period of our independence celebrations. This will be the biggest July 4 celebration we will be having,” Swart remarked during a pre-departure orientation programme organised by the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for Nigerian journalists travelling to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ready for America 2026: Nigerian journalists bound for the FIFA World Cup pose with U.S. Consul General Rick Swart after a pre-departure orientation programme in Lagos, where participants received practical guidance on covering the tournament during the United States’ historic 250th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

For this correspondent, who has attended nine previous World Cups over a period spanning 36 years, the initiative was remarkable. It was the first time a World Cup host nation had organised a dedicated orientation programme for visiting journalists before their departure.

The session was designed to provide practical information and guidance aimed at ensuring a smooth and memorable reporting experience in the United States. Much of the information shared would also benefit other Nigerians travelling to America for business, tourism or educational purposes.

Participants were introduced to key American values and cultural traits, including individualism, equality, privacy, punctuality, informality and direct communication. They were also advised to be mindful of visa regulations and to ensure that their activities remain within the limits of their immigration status while in the country.

Amanda Roche Brown, Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate, explained the significance of sports within American society and diplomacy.

“Sports are among the most effective tools of U.S. public diplomacy,” she said. “Your coverage of the World Cup exposes Nigerian audiences to American society — its diversity, institutions, hospitality and values.”

Brown also highlighted the broader context of what has been termed America’s “Decade of Sports”, stretching from 2024 to 2034. The period encompasses an extraordinary lineup of global sporting spectacles, including the 2024 Copa America, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The orientation programme also featured a panel discussion led by veteran sports journalists Kunle Solaja and Deji Omotoyinbo, who shared practical lessons and experiences gathered from decades of international sports coverage. The session was moderated by Tega Onojaife.

Panel of Perspectives: Moderator Tega Onojaife (left) steers the discussion as Ayodeji Omotoyinbo (centre) and Kunle Solaja share insights during the panel session, bringing experience and diverse viewpoints to the conversation.

Temitayo Famutimi, Country Strategic Communication Specialist, and Doyin Apalara further explored the role of sports as a cultural bridge and economic catalyst, encouraging journalists to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the World Cup while immersing themselves in American sports culture.

Temitayo Famutimi, Country Strategic Communication Specialist, addresses Nigerian journalists during the briefing, highlighting key communication strategies and opportunities surrounding the FIFA World Cup and related engagement initiatives.

One of the recurring themes throughout the orientation was the diversity of the United States. Participants were reminded that America is not a monolithic society but rather a complex mosaic of cultures, ethnicities, histories and regional identities.

“The experience in New York will be different from Houston, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami or Seattle,” attendees were told.

That diversity was reflected in the presentations by various Consulate officials, each making a passionate case for their home region as an ideal World Cup base.

Swart, a Californian, highlighted the attractions and lifestyle opportunities awaiting journalists who choose Los Angeles as their headquarters during the tournament.

Brown championed the New York-New Jersey area, noting that MetLife Stadium — temporarily renamed New York/New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup — is located in her home state of New Jersey and will host the tournament final.

Kaitlyn, representing Kansas City, described the city as one of America’s emerging football centres, home to both Major League Soccer and National Women’s Soccer League franchises. Straddling the border between Missouri and Kansas, the city proudly carries the nickname “Heart of America” and combines Midwestern hospitality with world-class sporting infrastructure.

Kaitlyn sheds light on the unique attractions, vibrant culture and World Cup-hosting opportunities that make Kansas City a must-visit destination for journalists covering major international sporting events.

Adding a historical dimension, Kaitlyn explained that both the city and state of Kansas derive their names from the Kansa (or Kanzá) Native American people, whose heritage remains an important part of the region’s identity.

As the World Cup approaches, the orientation offered Nigerian journalists not only practical travel guidance but also a valuable introduction to the social and cultural landscape of a nation preparing to welcome millions of visitors during one of the most significant periods in its history.

For the United States, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is far more than a football tournament. It is a centrepiece of a decade-long sporting celebration and a showcase of a nation marking 250 years of independence while opening its doors to the world.

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Iran’s national soccer team, currently training in Tijuana, Mexico, will be able to enter the U.S. the day before each of their three World Cup matches, the Department of Homeland ​Security said on Tuesday.

Media reports over the weekend had quoted the Iranian ‌ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, as saying that Iran’s team would have to enter and leave the U.S. the same day as they were playing, raising questions over logistics and whether it would ​affect team performance.

It was not the case that Iran would be forced to ​arrive the same day as their matches, a Department of Homeland ⁠Security spokesperson said.

“These statements are untrue,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Thanks to the ​generosity of President (Donald) Trump, the Iranian team will be able to arrive the day before ​their matches.”

The ambassador, speaking to Reuters in Tijuana via an interpreter on Monday, criticised U.S. officials for denying visas to some of the Iranian football federation staff but said that the ones that ​had been granted did not prevent them from staying overnight.

“Their visas don’t specify anything ​about them having to leave at a certain time,” he said.

After weeks of uncertainty, the U.S. awarded visas ‌to ⁠all the players on Friday, just 10 days before their first match.

But several members of the Iranian squad were not given visas, including “key managerial and administrative members,” according to Iran’s football federation. They include the team manager, two team analysts, the media director and ​a representative of the ​Foreign Ministry, according ⁠to Iran’s embassy in Mexico.

Iran is due to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on ​June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The ​players were ⁠originally slated to train in Arizona, but that was changed after the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran in February.

Trump said in March that Iran was welcome to participate in the ⁠World ​Cup but that he did not believe it was ​appropriate for Iran’s team to stay in the U.S. “for their own life and safety.”

-Reuters

 

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