A Fifa official since 2018, Omar Artan was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals

Football governing body Fifa has removed Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from the 2026 World Cup officiating roster after American authorities denied him entry into the country, ending what would have been the first World Cup finals appearance by a Somali match official.

Artan, the Confederation of African Football’s men’s referee of the year in 2025, was barred from entering the US at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey.

US immigration authorities have not publicly provided a reason for the decision.

In a statement, Fifa said Artan would be unable to participate in the tournament after discussions with US authorities.

  • lando55@lemmy.zipEnglish
    10·
    17 days ago

    This could have been a huge PR win for FIFA, especially given their current reputation. Without digging too much into the logistics:

    1. Issue a positive statement supporting the referee in appeal or at the very least in spirit
    2. Allow him to operate in matches played outside of the USA
    3. Pay him what he would have earned regardless, offer other opportunities or a confirmed spot for the next event

    I don’t know if any of these has been done, but seeing as how FIFA leadership has capitulated to the whims of our asshole-in-chief in the past, it’s tough to believe they would have acted like decent people.

    • vrek@programming.devEnglish
      3·
      17 days ago

      Ok, yeah I will agree with this. Pay him, allow him to operate outside of USA if possible and issue a statement of support. Basically no cost to fifa and good pr. Good choice.