IN BRIEF
- FIFA says visa decisions rest with host nations following a Somali referee being denied entry to the US.
- Authorities have said the referee was ultimately found to be inadmissible following vetting checks.
A Somali referee selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup has reportedly been denied entry into the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul ahead of the tournament.
While authorities did not initially identify the traveller, FIFA later confirmed the individual was Omar Artan, Somalia's only selected referee for the event.
Speaking to ENPS, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed the official was refused entry following screening procedures, and said the traveller was referred for additional screening during the entry process.
"During processing, the traveller underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP's inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility," a spokesperson said.
Officials from CBP told the outlet that the referee was ultimately found to be inadmissible following vetting checks, without providing further details about the reason for the decision.
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They stressed that all travellers entering the US — including athletes, coaches and tournament personnel — remain subject to standard inspection procedures.
"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 spokesperson said.
The agency added that officers retain authority to question travellers and determine eligibility for entry under US law.
FIFA distances itself from immigration decisions
FIFA said it does not play a role in visa approvals or border decisions made by host countries.
In a statement, the governing body said it had been informed authorities would not change Artan's status.
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The organisation added that, as with previous tournaments, immigration and entry decisions ultimately sit with host governments.
Tournament preparations under scrutiny
The entry denial comes after several incidents that have put US immigration and border enforcement into the spotlight ahead of the World Cup.
Questions over access and travel have surfaced in recent days after Iran accused the US of refusing visas to members of its national football team's support staff.
Iranian state-linked media reported 15 members of the delegation had been denied entry — including the head of the football federation, his deputy and a media director — after Iranian officials accused the US of restricting access for members of the team's broader support group.
US officials said visas had been granted to players and what they described as necessary support personnel, while maintaining safeguards remained in place to prevent misuse of the system.
Iran's embassy in Türkiye criticised the decision, describing it as politically motivated interference in sport.
World Cup organisers have also faced questions after a planned friendly between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile in Spain was cancelled following health concerns linked to the Ebola outbreak.
Swiss striker Breel Embolo's authorisation to travel to the US was also delayed, with reports indicating that he was undergoing additional checks related to previous court matters.
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