Referee

Omar Artan Denied US Entry: What It Means for World Cup 2026

June 12, 2026 by James Whitmore

Somali referee Omar Artan was barred from the US despite a valid visa. We examine the facts, the politics, and what it means for FIFA’s World Cup 2026.

Categories Analysis Tags FIFA, Omar Artan, Referee, Somalia, US immigration, World Cup 2026, World Cup officiating

World Cup 2026: A Guide to Football’s Biggest-Ever Tournament

The story so far. The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs 11 June to 19 July across the USA,…

By James Whitmore

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