What To Know About The World Cup Referee From Somalia Who Was Denied Entry To The U.S.
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was expected to make history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is now set for another milestone after being denied entry into the United States.
Artan, 34, has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Aug. 12 in Salzburg, Austria. The assignment will make him the first African referee to lead the UEFA Super Cup final, a major preseason match that traditionally features the winners of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
The appointment comes after Artan was selected by FIFA to serve as one of the match officials for the 2026 World Cup. He would have been the first African referee to officiate at the tournament, according to earlier reports.
Referee Denied Entry Into United States
Artan’s World Cup assignment ended before it began after he arrived in Miami on Wednesday and was questioned for several hours by Customs and Border Protection.
Officials reportedly denied him entry into the United States, citing “vetting concerns” and “association with suspected members of terror organizations,” according to ESPN and The Associated Press.
The decision sparked criticism, with many questioning how one of Africa’s top referees could be cleared by FIFA for the world’s biggest soccer stage but blocked from entering the country hosting several World Cup matches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also drew attention for his response to criticism surrounding the case, reportedly telling critics to “chill and relax.”
UEFA And CAF Praise Artan’s Refereeing Record
UEFA announced Artan’s Super Cup appointment following discussions with the Confederation of African Football, known as CAF.
“Despite his young age, Artan has established himself as one of the world’s top referees and has been on the FIFA international list since 2018,” UEFA said in a news release.
UEFA also pointed to Artan’s work in major African competitions, including the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final. He was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, further cementing his place as one of the continent’s most respected officials.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin called Artan “an excellent young but already experienced referee” and said the appointment was meant to recognize his skill and professionalism.
“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination,” Čeferin said.
A Milestone For African Referees
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe said Artan’s achievements have brought pride to Somalia and the African continent.
“Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent extremely proud,” Motsepe said. “His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys.”
Motsepe also thanked Čeferin for giving Artan the opportunity to officiate the UEFA Super Cup, calling the appointment an honor for both Artan and African referees.
For Artan, the moment is both historic and complicated. While his World Cup opportunity was cut short by the U.S. entry denial, his UEFA Super Cup assignment places him on one of European soccer’s biggest stages and keeps his name firmly in the international spotlight.
