# Football Officiating

Red Tape and Red Cards: How U.S. Border Policy Just Sidelined Somalia’s Historic World Cup Referee

Somali referee Omar Artan has been barred from officiating the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the U.S. on security grounds. Despite invitations from Canadian co-hosts, FIFA’s requirement for centralized training in Miami means the U.S. visa rejection effectively disqualifies him from the tournament.