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The Latest Breaking News from Omar Artan

Somali referee speaks out after being refused entry into US for World Cup 2026

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan says he has had his World Cup dreams dashed after he was refused entry at the US border.

The Independent UK

Iran trains in Mexico as US World Cup border troubles mount

Iran's World Cup ticket allocation has been cancelled, and 13 delegation members remain without visas, forcing the team to base itself in Mexico. Meanwhile, a Somali referee was turned away, an Iraqi striker was held for seven hours in Chicago, and Senegalese players were body-searched on arrival.

Euronews

Top African referee denied entry into the US and will miss World Cup

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who was refused entry to the US after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday, would play no part in the World Cup.

Euronews

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Frustrated Ian Wright criticises ‘World Cup of chaos’ after African referee denied entry

Ex-England star and pundit Wright cut a forlorn figure in an Instagram video two days before the tournament starts

The Independent UK

Host cities ready for kickoff in biggest World Cup ever as fans lament visa bans and ticket prices

The United States will host roughly 75% of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 78 of the 104 matches in the entire tournament taking place in 11 host cities.

Euronews

Somali football referee denied US entry will miss World Cup debut

The United States has denied entry to football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match.

Radio France Internationale

‘World Cup of Chaos’—Referee Expecting to Make History Denied Entry to U.S.

The official from Somalia flew from Istanbul to Miami with a diplomatic passport.

Sports Illustrated

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World Cup ref from Somalia who was denied entry to the US was about to make history for his country

The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently dropped from the tournament by FIFA had been set to make history for his country

The Independent UK

Anger as Somali referee barred from US days before World Cup

AFRICA's top referee who was set to be the first from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup has been barred from entering the US, leading to…

The National (Scotland)

Somali referee Omar Artan refused entry to US and will miss World Cup

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The Independent UK

Top official to miss World Cup after being denied entry by the United States

A Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup has been denied entry to the United States.

The National (Scotland)

Somali referee Omar Artan to miss World Cup after being denied US entry visa

Omar Artan was reportedly turned away at Miami International Airport last weekend despite possessing valid travel documents

Evening Standard

World Cup nears kickoff after pre-tournament turbulence

MEXICO CITY - The World Cup kicks off on Thursday with FIFA betting that the enduring appeal of the greatest footballing show on earth can rise above anger at soaring ticket prices, an uneasy political climate in Donald Trump's America and the shadow of conflict in the Middle East.

Bangkok Post

SOC:Somali World Cup referee refused entry to USA

Omar Artan will no longer be able to officiate at the World Cup after the Somali referee was denied entry to the United States.

AAP

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AAP

Somali World Cup referee refused entry to USA

Omar Artan will no longer be able to officiate at the World Cup after the Somali referee was denied entry to the United States.

Bangkok Post

Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US: FIFA

LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football's governing body FIFA said on Monday.

France 24

Somali referee dropped from World Cup after being refused entry to US

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been ruled out of officiating at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, FIFA said Monday, in a decision that prevents him from becoming the first Somali official to referee at the tournament.

The Independent UK

World Cup 2026: African referee denied entry into the United States by border control

US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been denied entry

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The Guardian - UK

Top African referee Omar Artan refused access to US and will miss World Cup

Omar Artan was going to be the first Somalian to officiate at a World Cup but was refused entry at Miami airport despite a valid travel visa

People

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Omar Abdulkadir Artan

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