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A Somali referee has been barred from the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the United States (FIFA)

Auteur: AFP

il y a 5 mois 8195 Lectures 7 Commentaires | Français

Un arbitre somalien écarté du Mondial-2026 après s'être vu refuser l'entrée aux Etats-Unis (Fifa)

The Somali referee, who was turned away on Saturday at his entry into the United States, will not officiate during the World Cup which is due to start on Thursday, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced to AFP on Monday.

"FIFA confirms that referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be able to train or officiate at the 2026 World Cup, after being denied entry to the United States," the governing body said.

"FIFA does not intervene in the host country's immigration procedures, including the granting of visas, and has been informed by the authorities that Mr. Artan's status will not be changed at this time," the statement added.

"In accordance with previous competitions organised by FIFA, it is the government of the host country which ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted to its territory," the International Federation reiterated.

The reasons for the deportation of Omar Abdulkadir Artan are unknown.

Contacted by AFP, the US Border Patrol (CBP) explained that "on June 6 (Friday, editor's note), a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul International Airport (...). During the formalities, the traveler was subjected to an additional inspection, a routine step."

"Following the inspection, the traveler, a World Cup referee, was deemed inadmissible due to issues with his background check and was denied entry into the country," added the agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

However, "Omar Abdulkadir Artan had a valid visa," Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to the Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports, told AFP on Monday.

- Somalia in Trump's sights -

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

Omar Abdulkadir Artan "is among the most respected referees in Africa" and "denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating (...) not only harms him personally, but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit and the spirit of fair play," Mr. Abshir lamented.

"The football community should support him during this difficult time," added the former captain of the Somali national team.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan was set to be the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup finals. Aged 34, he was among the 52 referees selected to officiate at the World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June and July.

"I commend the efforts, professionalism and integrity shown by referee Omar, who has become an inspiration to the new generation of Somalis," Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, president of the country which has never qualified for a World Cup, rejoiced on the day of his appointment.

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 in 2025.

Somalia is in Donald Trump's sights. At the end of November, the American president called it a "rotten country" and announced his intention to end the special status protecting Somali nationals from deportation.

AFP

Auteur: AFP
Publié le: Lundi 08 Juin 2026 à 22h34

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Ggg ⭐ Top commentaire il y a 5 mois

C’est l’Afrique toute entière qui devait boycotter ce mondial . Toutes les équipes africaines devraient se retirer de cette compétition. C’est ça la dignité
Eskey il y a 5 mois

Une coupe du monde organisé dans un pays raciste par des racistes. C'est du jamais vu. C'est inédit ce qui se passe
Maurice il y a 5 mois

l'idéal serait d'attendre le jour du match, et chaque pays, qui a des difficultés avec les visas, déclare forfait. Tout le monde serait dans la merde car y aura au moins une dizaine de pays concerné....et la FIFA n'aurait plus le temps de remplacer tous ces pays.....
Loiki il y a 5 mois

Non pas l'Afrique tout simplement, le monde entier. Par ailleurs je vois une irresponsabilité extraordinaire de la FIFA. La FIFA devrait gérer l'accès de toutes les fédérations, les équipes nationales ainsi que tous les officiels et ce n'était pas compliqué. Il suffisait d'une base de données tout ce beaux monde pour le présenter aux USA et exiger leur accès au territoire américain. A défaut, on boycott les Usa
Africander il y a 5 mois

Son cas devrait être très simple à gérer. Puisque ce sont trois pays qui coorganisent, il pouvait demander le visa soit pour Mexique soit pour le Canada.
Trump a raison il y a 5 mois

Cette fois si Trump a raison de contrôler c'est frontière parce que nous africains beaucoup d'entre nous partirons au usa en t'en que supporter et y resteront en t'en que clandestin loulou moy deug

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