Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US

Al Arabiya English

Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football’s governing body FIFA said on Monday.A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who was refused entry to the US after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday, would play no part in the World Cup.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Artan would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup.“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” the spokesperson told AFP.FIFA emphasized that it was powerless to influence the decision, which it said was the sole preserve of tournament co-hosts the United States.“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities

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