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June 9 : Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied a chance to make his World Cup debut after being barred from entering the United States, thanked FIFA, CAF and the Somali people on Tuesday as he prepared to return home.
MOGADISHU: Somalia has defended its referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. In a statement on Tuesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Sports expressed “deep regret” over Artan’s denial of entry, saying that despite diplomatic engagement with US authorities and world football governing body FIFA, it was “not possible to achieve a positive outcome.” Artan, an award-winning referee, was barred from entering the US on Saturday after arriving at Miami International Airport. A spokesperson for the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said he was denied entry following a routine inspection. He was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA for the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Somali reaffirmed “its unwavering support” for Artan adding it “has full confidence in his integrity, professionalism, and continued contribution to the advancement of football both in Somalia and internationally.” “Artan represents the very best of Somali talent,” reads the statement. FIFA confirmed to AFP that Artan will not be participating in the World Cup set to start on Thursday. “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,” a FIFA spokesperson said. A source at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) told AFP on Tuesday that the continental body could not intervene, but added: “We certainly feel sorry for Artan.” Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration as part of a broader immigration crackdown.
June 9 : Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio will take charge of the opening match of the FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, leading a three-man Brazil team for the curtain-raiser in Mexico City.
Omar seharusnya jadi salah satu dari wasit yang bertugas di Piala Dunia 2026. Pria asal Somalia itu bertitel wasit terbaik Afrika 2025 sehingga kiprahnya ditunggu fans sepakbola dunia.
June 8 : The United States denied entry over the weekend to football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match.
Penolakan Artan terjadi pada Senin (8/6/2026). Dia dilarang masuk ke AS di Bandara Internasional Miami hingga dideportasi ke Istanbul.
(Corrects name of agency to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the fourth paragraph)
Omar Artan adalah salah satu dari 52 wasit yang terpilih untuk bertugas di Piala Dunia 2026. Pria berusia 34 tahun itu tiba di Amerika Serikat, salah satu negara tuan rumah, menggunakan pesawat terbang dari Turki pada Senin (8/6).