Trump Administration Reportedly Explains Why FIFA Referee Omar Artan Was Denied Entry
Omar Artan was on the verge of making history. The Somali referee had secured a spot on FIFA's official list of match officials for the Club World Cup, putting him in position to become the first referee from Somalia to work a FIFA tournament on American soil.
Artan was denied entry into the United States and returned to Mogadishu this week, setting off a wave of attention across the soccer world.
Somalia is among the 12 countries listed under President Donald Trump's travel ban policy, which added another dimension to an already complicated situation. The referee was among 52 match officials selected by FIFA for this summer's World Cup and had traveled to Florida to join a pre-tournament training camp with fellow officials.
Why the Trump Administration Says Artan Was Turned Away
The Trump administration has now offered its explanation. A senior official told The Athletic that the decision came down to security concerns flagged during the inspection process.
"Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations, was discovered making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act," the official said. "President Trump's administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country - full stop."
The Trump administration has claimed referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied admission to the U.S. due to "association with suspected members of terror organisations."
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 10, 2026
The referee was one of 52 match officials chosen by FIFA for the World Cup. He reported to Miami last weekend… pic.twitter.com/PanYT419Ab
Artan told a different story. He said he had completed every requirement before boarding his flight, held a valid visa and carried FIFA accreditation as a certified match official.
After landing at Miami International Airport, he said he was held for more than 11 hours before being moved to a holding cell and eventually sent back to Istanbul, where his journey had started.
The official statement from the administration came shortly after Artan touched down in Mogadishu on Wednesday. Supporters and local officials were there to receive him, treating his return as a moment of national significance.
Artan, widely regarded as one of Africa's top referees and named the continent's best male referee in 2025, called the whole situation "unfortunate."
Related: Somali Referee Breaks Silence on U.S. Entry Denial Days Before World Cup
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 11:57 AM.