June 9, 2026 10:16 AM
Somali referee denied US entry, set to miss FIFA World Cup
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was set to become the first official from his country to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, will miss the tournament after being denied entry into the United States. Artan was among the 52 referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup, scheduled to be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. However, he was stopped by US immigration authorities upon arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday and was subs...