WORLD CUP referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the USA, just three days before the tournament kicks off.
The Somali official was set to become the first-ever Somali referee to be the man in the middle at a .
Omar Artan has been denied entry to the USA Credit: Getty
Artan, 33, was elected the best African referee for 2025 by the Confederation of African Football and has officiated at Afcon.
He had difficulty obtaining a visa but benefited from support from the Somali embassy in Nairobi, which enabled him to obtain a diplomatic passport, according to reports.
Denied entry to the US, he has now returned to Istanbul.
The Somalian is one of eight referees from CAF named by Fifa to officiate the tournament.
There are also 8 from the AFC, 9 from Concacaf, 1 from the OFC, 12 from Conmebol, and 15 from Uefa.
Those from Uefa countries include ‘s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, and ‘s Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver — familiar to Prem fans.
In total, 170 referees, assistant referees and video assistant referees will take charge of the record 104 matches across all three countries.
It currently remains unclear what will happen if Artan is not permitted entry in time for the tournament.
New World Cup 2026 rules
FIFA confirmed several new rules coming into play for the World Cup 2026.
They are:
- Outfield players cannot go to technical areas while goalkeeper getting treatment
- Five-second countdowns for goal-kicks and throw-ins
- Ten-second substitutions – or else one-minute sub entry delay
- One minute off field after outfield players get treatment
- Three-minute hydration breaks in each half
- VAR can intervene over fouls before ball in play for goals, penalties and disciplinary sanctions
- VAR can correct wrongly-awarded yellow cards and corners
- Red cards for covering mouth in confrontational talk
- Red cards for walking off pitch in protest
The Somali FA and Fifa have been contacted for comment.
The has already caused issues for some players who were expected to feature in the World Cup.
striker from flying to the country due to travel issues.
This was due to his Esta travel austhorisation being placed under review because of a court ruling in 2018.
The forward was convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats and handed a suspended fine.
The issues have since been ironed out and he has since arrived in San Diego.
have been forced to change their plans for the tournament and will now be based in .
The squad will only be for matchdays but will have to leave on the very same day.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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