US denies entry to Africa's top referee for World Cup
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was scheduled to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been denied entry into the United States.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the US after being stopped at Miami International Airport.
Referee Artan, who was appointed by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, failed to pass checks at the US border and now faces the risk of being unable to perform his duties at the tournament.
Omar Artan had officiated the final second-leg match between AS FAR and Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League and was also named the best African referee of 2025 by CAF.
There has been no official statement yet from FIFA or the Somali Football Federation regarding the incident.
News Source: 12punto
Most Read
Historic words from Özgür Özel at the CHP group meeting
Air Force Academy student Veli Bilgin has died
Tuncer Bakırhan calls for a framework law
Here are the names that will be in Özgür Özel's new party!
Major crisis in CHP
AKP mayor held responsible
Kılıçdaroğlu's 'controlled' shopkeeper visit
Güler leaves questions regarding Özgür Özel unanswered
He killed his wife by slitting her throat: Their children witnessed the moments
Resignation activity in CHP following Özgür Özel's new party decision