FIFA drops Somali World Cup referee after US denies him entry

Author: aljazeera.comPublished on: June 9, 2026Country: Somalia

SportsWorld / International

FIFA drops Somali World Cup referee after US denies him entry

FIFA has removed Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from the 2026 World Cup roster after the United States denied him entry despite his holding a valid visa. Artan, an award-winning referee, was scheduled to officiate at the tournament. The decision follows his denial of entry into the US.

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