FIFA referee Omar Artan has spoken out after he was denied entry into the United States of America for the 2026 World Cup.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, but Artan will have no role in the competition after initially being set to become the first Somali to officiate a match at the tournament.
He was barred from entering the country at Miami International Airport but has remained upbeat in a statement that has now been shared in the past day.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
In his statement, the official thanked FIFA and the wider 'football family' for their messages amid the incident.
As per Reuters , he said: "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.
"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."
A FIFA spokesperson commented on the situation in a statement as well, as per the same source.
They said: "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."
Artan became a FIFA referee in 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations in the past.
The exact reason for Artan being denied entry into the United States of America is not clear.
But he will no longer be part of the 52-man refereeing team at the tournament. Whether FIFA decide to replace him with another referee or have another official already in the US take charge of his matches has not yet been announced.
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