2026 World Cup: Somalia defends the "integrity" of its referee denied entry by the United States (Ministry)

Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports on Tuesday defended the "integrity" of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was turned away on Saturday at the United States where he was due to officiate during the World Cup, assuring him of its "unwavering support".

Despite "intense diplomatic efforts and negotiations with the relevant authorities of the United States government and FIFA, with the aim of reaching an immediate resolution", "it was unfortunately not possible to achieve a positive result", he lamented in a statement.

Omar Artan was turned away on Saturday upon his arrival in the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told AFP that he was deemed "inadmissible due to issues with his background check" and that the referee was therefore "denied entry into the country."

The Somali Ministry of Sports, however, affirmed its "full confidence in his integrity, professionalism and continued contribution to the development of football, both in Somalia and internationally", expressing its "unwavering support".

Holding FIFA status since 2018, Artan officiates in the Somali league and has been named best referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2025.

He was the first Somali referee selected for a World Cup finals. Aged 34, he was among the 52 men in yellow chosen to officiate at the World Cup co-hosted in June and July by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

FIFA, however, told AFP on Monday that the Somali referee would not be able to train or officiate at the 2026 World Cup, after being denied entry to the United States.

"It is the government of the host country that ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted to its territory," the body explained in a statement.

When questioned by AFP, a source within the CAF arbitration committee said she was "sorry for Artan" but declined to comment on the incident.

"The selection of referees for the World Cup is entirely the responsibility of FIFA," she said.

Somalia is one of many countries whose citizens are subject to a travel ban to the United States by the Donald Trump administration.

The Horn of Africa nation is particularly targeted by the American president. In late November, he called it a "rotten country" and announced his intention to end the special status protecting Somali nationals from deportation.