One of the referees appointed for the 2026 World Cup has been excluded from the tournament.
elchi reports that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was unable to enter the USA due to visa issues.
The 34-year-old referee, who was detained at Miami International Airport, was denied entry to the country and sent back to Istanbul.
FIFA has issued an official statement regarding the matter:
“FIFA does not interfere with the host country’s immigration processes, including visa assessments. We have been informed by the competent authorities that Mr. Artan’s status will not be changed.”
The organization also emphasized that the countries hosting the World Cup are the final decision-makers regarding visa issuance and entry into the country.
It should be noted that Omar Abdulkadir was named Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football in 2025. He was set to become the first Somali referee to be appointed in World Cup history.