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The Latest Breaking News from Omar Abdulkadir Artan

Iran fans and an African referee: All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup

Numerous figures have endured US visa and entry issues and the list is growing, two days out from the 2026 World Cup

The Independent UK

Somali referee speaks out after being refused entry into US for World Cup 2026

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan says he has had his World Cup dreams dashed after he was refused entry at the US border.

The Independent UK

Fifa and Gianni Infantino have questions to answer after the scandalous treatment of Omar Abdulkadir Artan

COMMENT : After Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan had his ‘dream’ of officiating at the World Cup denied by the host nation on the eve of the tournament, Fifa is forgetting its own rules, and values. By Miguel Delaney

The Independent UK

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Iran trains in Mexico as US World Cup border troubles mount

Iran's World Cup ticket allocation has been cancelled, and 13 delegation members remain without visas, forcing the team to base itself in Mexico. Meanwhile, a Somali referee was turned away, an Iraqi striker was held for seven hours in Chicago, and Senegalese players were body-searched on arrival.

Euronews

Top African referee denied entry into the US and will miss World Cup

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who says he was detained for 11 hours at Miami International Airport, would play no part in the World Cup.

Euronews

Frustrated Ian Wright criticises ‘World Cup of chaos’ after African referee denied entry

Ex-England star and pundit Wright cut a forlorn figure in an Instagram video two days before the tournament starts

The Independent UK

Somali football referee denied US entry will miss World Cup debut

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.

Radio France Internationale

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‘World Cup of Chaos’—Referee Expecting to Make History Denied Entry to U.S.

The official from Somalia flew from Istanbul to Miami with a diplomatic passport.

Sports Illustrated

Top official to miss World Cup after being denied entry by the United States

A Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup has been denied entry to the United States.

The National (Scotland)

Somali referee Omar Artan to miss World Cup after being denied US entry visa

Omar Artan was reportedly turned away at Miami International Airport last weekend despite possessing valid travel documents

Evening Standard

Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US: FIFA

LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - 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.

Bangkok Post

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

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.

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