appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP Sport

Agencies

After subjecting Iraq striker Aymen Hussein to a seven-hour interrogation, and denying entry to the entire Iran team except for matches, the United States has now banned referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from attending the World Cup.
Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match, will not be able to train or take charge of a game at the tournament after being turned away at the border over the weekend, a Fifa spokesman said on Monday.
In a statement, the world governing body said it was “not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications”.
Authorities told Fifa that Artan’s status would “not be changed at present”. The official reportedly had a valid visa.
The Somali is just the latest in an increasingly long line of officials, players and fans who have received a less than warm welcome by the United States, despite assurances last year from Fifa president Gianni Infantino to the contrary.

Speaking after a meeting of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in Kenya, Infantino, who has a close relationship with US President Donald Trump, said Fifa wanted to “unite the world and we will unite the world next year”.
“It is important to clarify this,” Infantino said. “There is a lot of misconception out there. Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the Fifa World Cup next year. We are working exactly for that.”
Hussein, meanwhile, was held for questioning at Chicago’s O’Hare airport on Saturday after having his phone searched on arrival. The Iraq team photographer was held for 10 hours before being denied entry.
Artan said in a statement that despite the circumstances he was in a positive mood and ⁠focused on the next challenges of his refereeing career.
“I would like to thank Fifa and Caf ‌for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he said.
“I want to thank ‌the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best ⁠success during the World ⁠Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
The US Customs and Border Protection, without naming ‌him, said in a statement that a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday and was ‌deemed inadmissible ‌due to vetting concerns.
The agency did not elaborate on those concerns, but said the ‌referee underwent routine additional inspection before being denied entry.
“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis ⁠using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” the CBP ⁠said.
The Trump administration’s strict immigration policies have been a point of concern ahead of the World Cup. Last year, Washington imposed a sweeping travel ban on citizens ‌of 12 countries, including ‌Somalia.
Artan, who was named Caf’s best male referee for 2025, had a valid visa, according to media reports. Somalia’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


Ma Ning hopes to ‘pass torch’ to next generation of Chinese referees after second World Cup

Fifa president Gianni Infantino makes an appearance at Under-20 Women’s World Cup

Key investor Kushner blames football power struggle for World Cup plan collapse

Under-fire South Korean football body hires ex-Spain boss Robert Moreno as interim coach

Fifa World Cup 2026

US rolls up welcome mat, referee banned from World Cup despite Fifa promises

Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry to the United States and will miss the World Cup. Photo: AFP

Iraq’s Aymen Hussein was held at Chicago’s O’Hare airport after border officers inspected his phone. Photo: Reuters

Lan Kwai Fong chairman Allan Zeman expects fans to ‘go crazy’ for World Cup

Bruce Lam (left) and Allan Zeman holding up shirts showing the number of World Cup matches Now TV will broadcast (104) and the day they begin, June 12. Photo: Ada Li 

Parts of Lan Kwai Fong will be turned into fan zones during the final weekend. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong police warn World Cup fans against using overseas betting sites

The Fifa World Cup trophy is displayed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Photo: AFP

A Jockey Club betting branch in Tropicana Garden in Wong Tai Sin. Photo: Jelly Tse

In a video interview played by police, a reformed illegal gambler explained that overseas betting websites offered promotions that made gambling feel as if users were getting a bargain, encouraging repeated wagers. Photo: Handout 

Sport

Football

Omar Abdulkadir Artan turned away by immigration officials. Fifa president Gianni Infantino previously said ‘everyone will be welcome’


Omar Abdulkadir Artan turned away by immigration officials. Fifa president Gianni Infantino previously said ‘everyone will be welcome’.


Fifa

US rolls up welcome mat, referee banned from World Cup despite Fifa promises

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Omar Abdulkadir Artan turned away by immigration officials. Fifa president Gianni Infantino previously said ‘everyone will be welcome’

Omar Abdulkadir Artan turned away by immigration officials. Fifa president Gianni Infantino previously said ‘everyone will be welcome’