Mon Jun 08, 2026 7:14 pm
The USA have blocked the Somali Referee Omar Artan from entering the USA, the Referee who is rated the best in Africa was blocked at entry, so he got the Somalian embassy to give him a Diplomatic Passport.
But the USA still refuses to let him in.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Mon Jun 08, 2026 7:21 pm
The best African referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry to the US despite having a diplomatic passport. He was supposed to lead some WC 2026 matches. This tournament is nothing else than a shitshow to please the tiny-handed orange shitgibbon Krasnov.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Mon Jun 08, 2026 7:23 pm
USA
Are a Dictatorship
Should never ever of had the World Cup
Mon Jun 08, 2026 7:32 pm
Isn't it about time someone stands up and say they can't enter country we withdraw our services? Only way to stop this farce! Just the threat should put stop it happening again
Mon Jun 08, 2026 10:08 pm
Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somalian to referee at the World Cup finals, has been dropped from the list of officials after he was denied entry to the United States.
Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men's referee of the year, was barred from entering the country at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey.
No reason for Artan's repatriation has been issued by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration.
After speaking to the US authorities, world governing body Fifa said Artan will miss the tournament.
"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," read a statement.
"Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.
"In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."
A senior adviser to Somalia's ministry of youth and sports confirmed the denial of entry to the BBC and said Artan had been travelling with valid documents.
A Somali embassy official in Nairobi told the BBC that Artan's diplomatic passport had been issued specifically to ease his travel after earlier visa difficulties.
The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has contacted Fifa seeking urgent clarification.
Speaking to BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: "While I can't go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision."
Artan was among the 52 referees announced by Fifa to officiate at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, which runs from 11 June to 19 July.
An official in the Somali national football league championships, Artan became a Fifa referee in 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Tue Jun 09, 2026 6:33 am
Forever Blue wrote:USA
Are a Dictatorship
Should never ever of had the World Cup
Somalia isn’t a free functioning democracy, the Somali community in the USA are responsible for billions in fraud, so Trumps playing politics. As for US not hosting, previously it’s gone to Russia and Qatar. FIFA have ruined football and the World Cup in particular.
Tue Jun 09, 2026 6:49 am
Jock wrote:Forever Blue wrote:USA
Are a Dictatorship
Should never ever of had the World Cup
Somalia isn’t a free functioning democracy, the Somali community in the USA are responsible for billions in fraud, so Trumps playing politics. As for US not hosting, previously it’s gone to Russia and Qatar. FIFA have ruined football and the World Cup in particular.
Spot on Jock.
It’s FIFA who are ruining football more so than the USA.
Perhaps Trump still remembers Black Hawk Down Lol
Tue Jun 09, 2026 7:50 am
That's what comes from giving that filth of a country the World Cup.
Come on Iran.
Tue Jun 09, 2026 8:21 am
razorboy wrote:That's what comes from giving that filth of a country the World Cup.
Come on Iran.
Iran where the marital age for girls is 9
Iran where girls are dragged off the streets, tortured, raped and killed. For not fully covering their hair
Iran that wants to establish a caliphate
Yeah mate, com on Iran
If you had to pick a country to emigrate to. USA or Iran?