Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report by ESPN FC.

Artan's situation has drawn significant attention ahead of the tournament, which the United States is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico. His selection had marked a historic milestone for Somali football, making his denial of entry all the more striking.

No official reason for the refusal has been confirmed at the time of reporting. It remains unclear whether Artan will be able to resolve his entry status before the competition begins.