US confirms it denied entry to Somali referee set to take part in World Cup

Author: Ali HarbPublished on: June 8, 2026Country: United States

SportsWorld / International

US confirms it denied entry to Somali referee set to take part in World Cup

The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry after arriving in Florida. Artan was set to become the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match. Authorities cited vetting concerns without providing details. Somalia is on President Trump's travel ban list.

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