Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the first Somali referee selected to officiate at a World Cup, has been denied entry to the United States without explanation by the Trump administration. Artan, named Africa’s best male referee last year and Fifa-accredited since 2018, was due to make history at the tournament but is now watching from outside the US.
Artan expressed his disappointment, saying he is simply a referee trying to live his dream. The Somali president described him as an inspiration for the new generation. However, Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House taskforce on the World Cup, defended the decision, citing unspecified derogatory information, while unverified claims later suggested alleged links to suspected terrorists.
Fifa, which has forced previous World Cup hosts to guarantee visas for accredited officials, has been criticised for its toothless response. The organisation stated it is not involved in host country immigration processes and that the host government ultimately determines visa decisions. This has left participants subject to what critics call Trumpian whim.
Other exclusionary incidents include the Iranian football federation reporting revoked fan tickets, the national team’s training base moved from Arizona to Mexico, and visa denials for staff. The International Sports Press Association has also condemned the denial of entry visas to regularly accredited journalists, particularly Iranian and African colleagues, calling the situation unacceptable.
While Fifa highlights the record 10 African nations at this World Cup and its investment in African football, critics argue that the tournament’s expansion is primarily a commercial exercise. The exclusion of Artan and others undermines claims of inclusivity, raising questions about whether the global game is being sacrificed to Fifa’s money-making and political interests.
