Trump Administration Labels Somalian Referee ‘Security Threat’, Claims US Entry Denied Over T£rror Links
Trump Administration Labels Somalian Referee ‘Security Threat’, Claims US Entry Denied Over Terror Links
The move by the Trump administration ended Artan’s hope of becoming the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup despite holding a valid U.S. visa and being named Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has labelled Somali football referee Omar Abdelkader Artan a national security threat and accused him of associating with suspected terrorist organisations after denying him entry into the United States to officiate in the 2026 World Cup.
The move by the Trump administration ended Artan’s hope of becoming the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup despite holding a valid U.S. visa and being named Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
Artan has returned to Somalia to a hero’s welcome after being denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan, who was named Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025 and was set to become the first Somali official to referee at a men’s FIFA World Cup, arrived back in Mogadishu after being turned away by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at Miami International Airport despite holding a valid visa.
The decision has sparked outrage in Somalia and across the international football community, with U.S. authorities now claiming the referee posed a national security risk.
Defending the decision, a Trump administration official told CNN that Artan was denied entry after additional screening by border officials.
The official said, “This individual was seeking admission to the United States. Upon further inspection by Customs and Border Protection, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered, making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
“President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country, full stop.”
Although the official did not provide specific details, the allegation is believed to relate to suspected links with Al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based militant group affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
The claim came after intense criticism of the U.S. decision from football officials, human rights advocates and Somali authorities, who questioned how Artan could have passed visa screening at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi only to be rejected upon arrival in America.
According to reports, Artan was detained and questioned for approximately 11 hours in Miami before being placed on a return flight.
He later told The New York Times that U.S. officials questioned him about Al-Shabaab during the interrogation.
Further defending the decision, the White House Task Force Chief for the World Cup said one referee had been excluded from the tournament for what he described as a legitimate security reason.
“There’s been one referee who has not been admitted. And while I can’t go into the details, what I can tell you, high level, is that it was for a very good reason. I support that decision,” the Task Force Chief said, according to Reuters.
“I was speaking directly with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Commissioner of CBP on Sunday. The days are blending together. A couple of days ago on this.
“And it was for a very good reason that ultimately this referee did not get in the country.”
An administration official subsequently told reporters that border agents had uncovered information allegedly linking Artan to suspected terrorist associates.
“Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered,” the official said.
“That made the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
“President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country, full stop.”
The development has cast a shadow over preparations for the World Cup, which begins this week across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The controversy comes amid concerns over the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies. Last year, Washington imposed a sweeping travel ban affecting citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that Artan would no longer be permitted to participate in officiating or training activities at the tournament.
The spokesperson said FIFA had been informed by U.S. authorities that Artan’s immigration status would not be changed.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
Somalia’s government expressed disappointment over the incident and disclosed that attempts had been made to secure Artan’s entry into the United States.
In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Sports said, “His international achievements are a source of honour and pride for the Somali people.”
The Somali Football Federation (SFF) also criticised the situation, describing Artan’s World Cup appointment as a historic achievement earned through years of dedication and professionalism.
The federation said it had not received any official explanation regarding the denial of entry and was working with FIFA and relevant authorities to determine what had happened.
Before departing Istanbul for Somalia on Tuesday, Artan remained composed despite the controversy.
“I feel very good now,” he told Reuters.
“And I wanted to thank FIFA for supporting me all the way, and the Somali people also. So I am very grateful for FIFA and CAF (Confederation of African Football) also.”
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