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The Latest Breaking News from Omar Abdulkadir Artan

White House Says Barred Somali World Cup Referee Was Talking to 'Very Bad People'

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup Task Force, said that U.S. authorities had intelligence information that justified blocking a Somali referee from entering the country to take part in the World Cup.

International Business Times

Somali Referee Barred From Officiating at World Cup Was 'Talking to Some Very Bad People,' Trump Official Says

Upon arriving in Miami, Omar Artan said he was questioned by authorities about alleged ties to the Somali militant group al-Shabab and told officials he knew nothing about the organization.

Latin Times

Ghana lodges protest over Canada's refusal to admit rape case suspect Partey

Ghana's government confirmed on Saturday it had lodged a formal protest with Canada over its refusal to issue an entry visa to the Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of Ghana's game against Panama on Wednesday in Toronto.

Radio France Internationale

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The World Cup usually cleans up a country’s image. Not this time

Mega sporting events run on a reliable formula. A country wins the hosting rights, spends money it probably shouldn’t, and receives a month-long image makeover in return. The FIFA World Cup has often been held as the ultimate example of this exchange, accused of being the world’s most expensive reputation…

Newslaundry

Somali referee picked for Uefa showpiece match after he was denied US entry for World Cup

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The Independent UK

Somali referee who was refused entry into US for World Cup picked to officiate Uefa Super Cup

Omar Abdulkadir Artan will officiate the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August

The Independent UK

World Cup Viewed as National Security Event in U.S., Affecting Players, Fans and Referees

The Transportation Security Administration said in a June 10 statement that it will deploy advanced technology, specialized personnel and additional resources to manage the influx of travelers and support security operations during the tournament.

Latin Times

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Who Is Omar Artan? Top African Referee Denied Entry to US Ahead of FIFA World Cup Despite Valid Visa Claims

Omar Artan, Africa's top football referee, was denied entry to the US and will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite claims he held a valid visa

International Business Times UK

Who is Omar Abdulkadir Artan and why was he denied entry to US For FIFA World Cup 2026?

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, set to be the first from his nation at a FIFA World Cup, was denied entry to the US due to suspected links to terror organizations. Despite holding a visa and FIFA accreditation, US authorities deemed him inadmissible, shattering his dream and sparking controversy. Omar…

The Economic Times

Omar Artan scandal reveals Gianni Infantino for what he is: one of sport’s greatest cowards

The Fifa president has prostrated the organisation before Donald Trump and lost control of his own tournament as a result

The Guardian - UK

SPO:Infantino defends World Cup visa issues, ticket prices

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended soccer's governing body's handling of visa issues and ticket prices ahead of the World Cup.

AAP

Infantino defends World Cup visa issues, ticket prices

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended soccer's governing body's handling of visa issues and ticket prices ahead of the World Cup.

AAP

HRW report accuses M23 of detaining and abusing thousands in DR Congo

In tonight's edition, a new Human Rights Watch report uncovers mass forced recruitment and arbitrary detention by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo. Also, we head to Durban, where thousands of foreign nationals displaced by xenophobic violence remain camped outside the Department of Home Affairs. And finally,…

France 24

Sport and politics collide in most polarising World Cup

It is clear that sport and politics are entwined like never before as the World Cup gets underway in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

AAP

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8 Vicious Acts By The USA As The World Cup Is Set To Begin That Triggered Worldwide Uproar

"This is the most World Cup attention the US has ever gotten and it's for all the worst reasons.”

The Guardian - UK

The most inclusive World Cup ever? Tell that to Omar Artan, the Somali referee just banned by Trump’s US

This episode feels symbolic of a World Cup where the global game has been sacrificed to Fifa’s cynical money-making – and Trumpian whim, says Morgan Ofori, reporter and subeditor for the Guardian’s The Long Wave

The Independent UK

Trump administration says Somali referee denied US entry over links to ‘terror organisation’ suspects

Omar Artan, who was Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, endured an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry to the US last weekend despite being issued with a valid visa

Evening Standard

US responds to Somali referee scandal after Omar Artan denied World Cup entry

Somali official was barred from entering US soil before summer tournament

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The Independent UK

Palestine football chief and Iran fans: 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 as the 2026 World Cup gets going

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

Euronews

World Cup border issues continue as Cannavaro questions Uzbekistan security frisk

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.

The Independent UK

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

Radio France Internationale

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.

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