The World Cup starts today (11 June) and everyone involved is really excited to get into it. However, there one who won't take part in the tournament anymore. Somalian referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan. Upon arriving in Miami, he was turned back due to suspected terrorist connections.
He was supposed to make history this week, becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup. Instead, he’s watching from outside the US, denied entry without explanation by the Trump administration. Welcome to the most inclusive World Cup ever.
FIFA, the game’s governing body, is projecting revenues of $8.9bn (£6.7bn) from this tournament – almost double what the 2024 Olympics made. More teams: 48, up from 32. More matches: 104 over 39 days. More markets, just how they like it. This is good business.
This much is also clear: not everyone is invited to the party. In the days preceding Thursday’s opening ceremony,;the news has been of exclusion, disunity and segregation.
It is probably best to start with Artan, a Somali referee named Africa’s best male referee last year and FIFA accredited since 2018. Artan was gracious in spite of the circumstances. "I am very, very disappointed," he told the New York Times, "I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream – the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."
He deserved it. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of Somalia, described him as "a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis." That, evidently, is not enough for the Trump administration.
Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House taskforce on the World Cup, said: "While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that, I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision." After 24 hours of uproar, someone said with the unverified claim that that the ref may have alleged links to "suspected members of terror organisations."
FIFA forced South Africa, Germany and other recent World Cup hosts to promise that visas and minimal immigration interference would be guaranteed for all accredited officials, players and staff during the tournament.
Why is the US exempt from that? The organisation’s response has been toothless. "FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications," it said, "and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present. A host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States because of his "association with suspected members of terror organisations", said a US official.
The 34-year-old – Africa's referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.
Somalia is one of 12 several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.
Artan arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday.
A Trump administration source said: "This individual was seeking admission to the United States. Upon further inspection by CBP [Custom and Border Protection], derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
"The traveller was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA. President Trump's administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country - full stop."
BBC Sport has approached Artan for comment. He told the New York Times, external on Tuesday that he was questioned by border officials over his links to Somali militant group Al Shabab and had told them he knew nothing about the group.
Upon landing at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, he was greeted by government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation, as well as fellow referees and local residents; before meeting president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Presidential Palace.
He was expected to attend a public event at Mogadishu Stadium later on Wednesday afternoon and watch a match between Heegan and Dekadaha.
Artan made a brief statement to the media at the airport, in which he spoke of his determination to officiate at the 2030 World Cup but didn't take questions from journalists.
"I'd like to thank the officials, ministers, MPs and everyone. I want to thank my country and people for their support. The encouragement I received here, I know I'll get more support outside [the airport]," Artan said in words which have been translated into English by the BBC.
"Everything is pre-destined. FIFA supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu. I promise you that I'll be officiating you in the next World Cup. Somalia, everywhere, I'm letting you know."
Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) men's referee of the year in 2025, was one of 52 referees selected for the World Cup.
However, his "dream" came crashing down as he attempted to travel to the on-pitch officials' base in Florida, with Artan telling the New York Times, he had faced an 11-hour immigration interview and was detained for several hours before being put on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
It was not possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and referee matches played in Canada or Mexico, with all on-pitch officials based in Florida for training, preparation and security.
Trump placed a full entry ban under any visa category for 12 countries, including Somalia, in June 2025.
Two days before the World Cup draw in December 2025, Trump drew widespread attention for comments made about Somalia in the lead-up to a planned immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which has a large Somali community.
"With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no anything," Giuliani said. "They just run around killing each other. There's no structure."
Trump added that Somali immigrants should "go back to where they came from" and that the US would "go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage to our country."
On arriving home, Artan urged Somalia's youth not to lose hope in their country in the face of his treatment, stating: "Let's all defend Somalia's honour. We all belong to Somalia whether it's bad or good. That flag is ours and so is the passport - let's defend it."
"The youth shouldn't be demoralised about their country. Despite this happening to me, I'll still stand for my nation. I want to continue my journey from here and urge the youth to do the same."
Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, called on his critics to "chill" and "relax" on the eve of his controversy-engulfed World Cup’s start in Mexico.
Infantino rejected criticism of his friendship with Donald Trump and played down a row over the United States’ refusal to admit Africa’s top referee Omar Artan.
Just 24 hours before kick-off in Mexico City, the Trump administration accused Artan of having links to "suspected members of terror organisations." In response, Infantino said the denied entry of the Somali referee was "unfortunate" but he added "sometimes it’s good to chill and relax."
The comment came during a 66-minute press conference on the eve of the tournament, where Infantino defended FIFA over several controversies that have overshadowed the build-up to the World Cup.
The decision to ban Artan from the USA has been met with widespread criticism.
"It is unfortunate what happened to Omar. But we don't control everything. We try, we discuss and we will speak," Infantino said.
"Maybe sometimes it is good as well to just chill and relax. We work on everything and try to solve everything. Sometimes, to start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution."
"Believe me when I tell you, don't believe me if you want, we always try to find solutions. We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces; we are a sports organisation."
When pushed for an answer on his comments by reporters on what he meant by "chill," Infantino added: "In 2035, I think the Women's World Cup will be in (the) UK.
"Would you find it normal that FIFA would dictate to the British Government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country? I don't know, maybe you find it normal."
"Our world is a very aggressive world and security goes above everything. You need to respect the decisions. When I say 'chill', I don't mean 'chill and do nothing', I mean to trust us. We always try to make the situation as positive as possible and find solutions. Sometimes we manage, sometimes we do not."
On the bright side, UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin, poured praise on the Somali referee in a statement released a few hours before global body FIFA's flagship World Cup was to start.
"Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football," said Ceferin.
"Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination."
UEFA said that after talks with the CAF, it "has today appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup" on 12 August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, between Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners, Aston Villa.
Artan's case has been on of many incidents to taint the runup to FIFA's World Cup.
UEFA said Artan's appointment came in the framework of an accord between UEFA and CAF to encourage cooperation.
"UEFA and CAF are united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination," it said.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said Artan had "made Somalia and the entire people of the African continent, extremely proud."
"His receipt of the CAF men's referee of the year award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys."
His appointment to referee the Super Cup "is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and is also an excellent example of football, bringing together and uniting people from Africa and Europe and worldwide," Motsepe said.
A senior advisor to the Somali Ministry of Sports said Artan's case had generated "significant concern both within Somalia and internationally."
"We have been in contact with a range of sporting bodies since yesterday, especially in Europe, to raise awareness of the issue and request their support," Ciise Aden Abshir told AFP.
"UEFA's decision came in response to the support we requested and we believe it has helped uphold the principles of integrity and fair play in football. Officiating the UEFA Super Cup is a unique opportunity, and we are grateful to UEFA for its support."
To me, this is a racial matter. They can make several statements and accusations but it's all a lie. No one wants to admit that a decision is based on race.
I also believe that Infantino is being biased in his decision-making. He's being blinded by friendship. Any authority figure should put everything aside and make objective decisions.
I'm thrilled that he will officiate a non-African matchup. A sense of co-operation can set a standard for a bright future.