Somali referee Omar Artan is removed from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the United States denies him entry. Multiple outlets report that Artan, selected as one of FIFA’s World Cup referees, arrives in Miami from Istanbul and is barred from entering following a U.S. border “routine” inspection. U.S. officials, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, say the decision is linked to “vetting concerns,” and the U.S. government determines Artan is inadmissible. FIFA later confirms that Artan will play no part in the tournament. Artan disputes the reason, saying he had the appropriate and valid visa and that he was denied entry despite having the correct documents. Coverage also notes that Artan would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals. Somalia’s Ministry of Sports issues statements backing Artan, expressing regret over the denial and noting that diplomatic engagement occurred. The episode is presented across reports as raising questions around the fairness and transparency of the U.S. vetting process, while U.S. authorities maintain their decision is based on inadmissibility concerns.