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Somali football referee denied US entry will miss World Cup debut

Omar Abdulkadir Artan Omar Artan World Cup United States Soccer Fifa Football
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan showing the yellow card during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match between Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire at the Grand Stadium in Marrakech, on 31 December, 2025.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan showing the yellow card during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match between Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire at the Grand Stadium in Marrakech, on 31 December, 2025. AFP - KHALED DESOUKI

The United States has denied entry to football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement that a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday, without naming him, and that he was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns.

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