A top Somalian referee who was set to officiate games at the World Cup has been blocked from entering the US over his alleged links to terrorist organizations.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 33, was interrogated by border officials at Miami International Airport for 11 hours Saturday, before he was held in a jail cell and forced to leave the country, according to The Athletic.
Customs and Border Protection officers claimed that Artan was blocked from entering the US over “vetting concerns.” On Tuesday, US officials said that the referee was barred due to an “association with suspected members of terror organizations.”
After landing in Florida, Artan was questioned over Somalian politics and the Al Shabaab terrorist organization, which US Africa Command described in 2022 as “the largest, wealthiest, and most lethal Al Qaeda affiliate.”
AFRICOM said the group “poses the greatest danger to US citizens and interests in East Africa and is a threat to the United States.”
Artan’s name is similar to that of a man who has links to the terror group, which is sanctioned by the US Treasury, the New York Times reported.
The referee, who was named Africa’s best referee in 2025, was quizzed if he had ever met anyone from the organization, which he denied.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, previously said earlier Tuesday there was a “very good reason” why Artan was blocked from entering the US.
“While I can’t go into the derog on that I can tell you it was right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision,” Giuliani told the BBC.
“Anybody who’s communicating with bad actors… are not going to be admitted,” Giuliani told Sky News.
Last June, President Trump announced a blanket ban on citizens from Somalia entering the US. The nation was one of 12 countries initially included in the ban.
The US government considers Somalia to be a “terrorist safe haven,” where bad actors “plan, facilitate and conduct their operations.”
“Somalia also remains a destination for individuals attempting to join terrorist groups that threaten the national security of the United States,” the White House warned.
Despite showing his FIFA accreditation, visa, and proof of his refereeing career, Artan was put on a flight to Istanbul — where he had jetted in from.
“I had the right papers and everything. “I had the right visa,” he told the New York Times, before blaming the federal government.
“I think that they have a problem with my country.”
Last December, President Trump branded Somali migrants in Minnesota “garbage” amid the backdrop of the targeted immigration enforcement operations that were taking place in the state.
Artan’s World Cup dreams were dashed even though the tournament is being played across the US, Mexico, and Canada.
The 140 referees and assistants who are taking part in the tournament must stay at a hub in Miami, which was created by legendary official Pierluigi Collina.
Artan had been preparing for this summer’s tournament by taking courses with FIFA in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Hassan Ali Khaire, Somalia’s Prime Minister, said he’s “deeply disappointed” Artan is unable to officiate.
“He represents not only Somalia, but also the aspirations of millions of young Africans who believe excellence should be recognized on the world stage,” he said.
The referee has been listed by FIFA since 2018 and has officiated at major African competitions, including the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has not commented on Artan’s case. But just last year, he said, “Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico, and the United States for the FIFA World Cup.”
With Post wires
