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Somalia criticises US decision to bar World Cup referee

Somalia’s football federation says the US decision to deny entry to award-winning referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan

Messi returns to bench as World Cup build-up hit by referee visa row and Mexico City protests

LOS ANGELES, June 10 — Lionel Messi was set to feature yesterday as reigning champions Argentina played thei...

Success-starved China fans adopt 'Card Master' referee as World Cup rep

Ma Ning is the only Chinese match referee at the tournament, where he is making his second World Cup appearance, having debuted as a fourth official in Qatar in 2022.

With no team in World Cup, China fans rally around a red card-happy referee

Ma Ning, known for his stern style, has sparked viral memes and attracted major brand sponsorships.

Somali soccer referee on his way back home after being denied entry into United States

Somali referee says World Cup ‘dream’ ruined

Omar Artan, who was named referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, has been dropped from Fifa's list of officials after he was refused entry to the US.

Kicked out! Top African referee denied entry to US then sent home to Somalia - despite having 'the right visa'

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, had his travel facilitated by the Somali Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, who said they had granted him a diplomatic passport to help with visa-related issues.

White House World Cup chief defends visa ban for Somali referee, Iranians

The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup on Tuesday defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some support staff for the Iranian team. The post White House World Cup chief defends visa ban for Somali referee, Iranians appeared first on Vanguard News.

White House World Cup chief defends visa ban for Somali referee, Iranians

Andrew Giuliani stresses efforts to block 'bad actors' seeking to enter the United States under the guise of the World Cup.

Kenya: one dead at protest anti US Ebola quarantine center

In tonight's programme, violence flared in Kenya, leaving at least one person dead, as police confronted protesters over an Ebola quarantine centre planned for US citizens. Outrage over the US ban on referee Omar Artan who was set to make history as the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup. And finally, Cape Town is feeling the strain of overtourism with a growing share of homes reserved for visitors.

EXCLUSIVE: Somali World Cup Ref Denied Entry Into USA For Terror Ties

WASHINGTON— The United States denied entry to a Somali World Cup referee because he associated with “suspected members of terror organizations,” The Daily Wire can first report. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Monday that Omar Artan had been denied entry after he arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday. Artan was ...

Trump immigration stance 'clashes against reality of what is needed to stage a truly global event'

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Alexander Cooley, Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, explains that "we're seeing the Trump's administration adherence to hard-line immigration laws clash against the reality of what you need to stage a truly global event".

Somali referee says World Cup ‘dream’ ruined

Somali referee Omar Artan said the "biggest dream of my life" had been ripped away after he was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup. The post Somali referee says World Cup ‘dream’ ruined appeared first on Vanguard News.

A warm World Cup welcome? U.S. immigration policies have chilling effect

As the World Cup begins later this week, match officials and team members have faced enhanced immigration scrutiny when trying to enter the United States. A FIFA referee from Somalia was turned away.

Somali National Denied Entry to US to Officiate in World Cup Speaks: "I'm in Positive Mood"

Somali-born referee Omar Artan speaks out after being denied entry to the USA for the World Cup, expressing positivity and gratitude despite the setback.

Somali soccer referee denied US entry, will miss World Cup debut

The ​United States has denied entry to soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the ‌first Somali to officiate at a match in the World Cup. A FIFA spokesperson said Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup — which kicks off on Thursday — after he was not allowed to enter the United States over the weekend. Somalia’s government said it had unsuccessfully ​tried to negotiate with the US and FIFA so that Artan could enter the country and it was saddened ​by what had happened. “His international achievements are a source of honour and pride for the Somali people,” ⁠Somalia’s sports ministry said in a statement. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Somali Football Federation (SFF) expressed sadness over the ​situation, calling Artan’s appointment a milestone for the country that resulted from years of dedication, professionalism and integrity. The SFF said it has ​not received an official explanation as to why Artan was denied entry to the US, adding that it is working closely with FIFA and the relevant authorities to understand the circumstances of the situation. FIFA says not involved in immigration policies A senior Somali official told Reuters that diplomatic efforts were continuing ​to try to get Artan into the US for the tournament, but declined to share further details. A FIFA spokesperson said the organisation “is ​not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed ‌at present”. Artan ⁠said in a statement that despite the circumstances, he was in a positive mood and focused on the next challenges of his refereeing career. “I would like to thank FIFA and CAF (Confederation of African Football) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he said. It was not clear which game or games Artan would have refereed, ​although such information is typically ​only announced two to three ⁠days in advance. US policies raise concerns ahead of world cup Without naming him, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement that a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul ​on Saturday and was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns. The agency did not elaborate on those ​concerns, but said ⁠the referee underwent routine additional inspection before being denied entry. “Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” the CBP said. The Trump administration’s strict immigration policies have been a point of concern ahead of ⁠the World ​Cup. Last year, Washington imposed a sweeping travel ban on citizens of 12 ​countries, including Somalia. Artan, who was named CAF’s Best Male Referee for 2025, had a valid visa, according to media reports.

Does referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup?

With referee Omar Artan denied entry to the United States and worries over staff and supporters being turned back, what does this tell us about the World Cup?

Knicks coach Mike Brown has curious interaction with referee before foul rant

Internet sleuths are trying to decode a conversation between Mike Brown and referee Marc Davis.

5 things to know about Somali referee Omar Artan denied US entry

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to commence this week, one of the tournament's biggest off-field controversies involves Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate at football's biggest event. The post 5 things to know about Somali referee Omar Artan denied US entry appeared first on Vanguard News.

US Denies Entry to Africa’s Referee of the Year Ahead of World Cup

A World Cup referee from Somalia confirmed on Tuesday that US border patrol officials denied him entry into the country. “I am very, very disappointed,” Omar Abdulkadir Artan, one of 52 referees chosen in April for the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup, told the New York Times. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to […]