The White House and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have confirmed that Somali referee Omar Artan was refused entry into the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup, citing security vetting concerns.
Artan arrived at Miami International Airport carrying a valid U.S. visa, but after an extensive inspection, the Department of Homeland Security ruled him inadmissible and returned him to Turkey. His case drew significant attention as the tournament nears its opening matches.
The White House also blocked several Iranian support staff from entering the country. According to the White House Task Force on the World Cup, officials identified a direct link between some individuals who had presented themselves as coaching staff and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Task Force on the World Cup, defended the decisions at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council in Washington, speaking to AFP.
