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France 24
France 24
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FRANCE 24

Somali referee dropped from World Cup after being refused entry to US

Omar Abdulkadir Artan Omar Artan World Cup Fifa United States CBP Football Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Cover image: Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been dropped from the World Cup's referees roster after being denied entry to the United States. © Khaled Desouki, AFP/File

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been ruled out of officiating at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, FIFA said Monday, in a decision that prevents him from becoming the first Somali official to referee at the tournament.

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football's governing body FIFA said on Monday.

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