Somali Referee Omar Artan Reportedly Denied US Entry, Then Named for UEFA Super Cup Final

Somali referee Omar Artan was reportedly selected among FIFA’s officials for the 2026 World Cup, which would have made him the first Somali referee at the tournament. However, he was reportedly denied entry into the United States after arriving in Miami over unspecified vetting concerns linked to alleged terror-group associations, which he denies. Artan returned to Mogadishu without officiating at the tournament but received a warm welcome from supporters. He is also reportedly set to referee the UEFA Super Cup final between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, a potentially historic appointment for a non-European official. The case raises wider questions about security screening, immigration rules and whether African match officials receive equal access to football’s biggest stages. Artan’s record includes major CAF competitions and AFCON appointments.

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