For Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, this summer was supposed to mark a historic moment not only for his career but for his country as well. The official had been selected as one of 52 referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

After more than a decade as a professional referee and a breakthrough 2025 campaign that saw him named Africa’s Referee of the Year, Artan was on track to become the first Somali referee to officiate a men’s World Cup match. Instead, his World Cup journey came to an abrupt end before it could begin, reported BBC Sports.

Artan was recently removed from FIFA’s officiating roster after being denied entry into the United States. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the decision came after a routine inspection and vetting process following his arrival at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul.

Artan Opens Up After World Cup Setback

Days after the decision, Artan publicly addressed the situation for the first time and did not hide his disappointment. According to The Athletic, the Somali referee said the opportunity represented far more than a personal milestone.

“I am very, very disappointed,” Artan said. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”

Artan explained that participating in the tournament would have been a point of pride for Somalia and an example of what people from the country can achieve despite ongoing challenges.

According to Artan, he spent 11 hours in an immigration interview after arriving in Miami. He said he was later placed in a holding cell for several more hours before eventually being sent back to Istanbul. Throughout the process, he said no explanation was given for why he was denied entry.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” he added.

The setback is particularly significant given what Artan’s selection meant. He was one of seven African referees chosen for the tournament and was set to make history as the first Somali official to referee a World Cup match.

Artan said he provided officials with FIFA documentation as well as photographs detailing his refereeing career. He also said border authorities reviewed information about him online before making their decision. Despite those efforts, the opportunity slipped away.