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Somalia’s World Cup referee, who was denied entry to the U.S. days before the tournament began in North America by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has been flagged for “derogatory” information, including “meeting with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” a Trump administration official told Fox News.
The flag caused Omar Artan to be denied entry into the US
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Referee Omar Artan arrives in Mogadishu, Somalia, after being denied entry into the United States on June 10, 2026. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP)
“This person wanted to be admitted to the United States,” a Trump administration official said in a statement. “Upon CBP’s re-inspection, extenuating circumstances, including association with suspected members of terrorist organizations, were found to make the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
“The traveler was denied admission and was served immigration forms that provide a clause that is used to complete immediate removal under 8235 of the INA. President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country – stop.”
Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to “screening concerns,” CBP said in a statement. He was reportedly granted a visa to travel to the US last week, according to the Somali Embassy in Kenya who is processing it. He would meet with other referees to train at their facility in Miami.
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Referee Omar Artan of Somalia faces the players after calling a penalty during the CAF Champions League final match between AS FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns in Rabat, Morocco, May 24, 2026. (Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP)
He returned home to Somalia on Wednesday and thanked fans.
“I promise God if he agrees, I will go to the next one,” he said. “I want the Somali community to take comfort in this and stay confident.”
Somalia is one of nearly thirty countries subject to travel restrictions under the Trump administration as it focuses on illegal immigration. Artan would be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at the World Cup and is among the best referees in Africa.
“It is up to all of us to protect the name of Somalia,” said Artan. “Somalia is ours, whether it’s in bad or good shape. That flag is ours, that passport is ours.”
Referee Omar Artan is greeted by fans as he arrives in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 10, 2026, after being denied entry into the United States. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/Associated Press)
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The World Cup begins on Thursday with the US, Mexico and Canada each hosting a game. The World Cup final will be held on July 18 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
