United States defends refusal to admit Omar Artan, who was due to officiate at 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

On Tuesday evening, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA task force, defended the United States' decision to refuse Somali referee Omar Artan entry, saying there were very good reasons but offering no details.

ESPN reports that a US official said Artan was turned back over alleged associations with members of terrorist organisations.

The referee, who is due to work at the 2026 World Cup, was denied entry on Monday by immigration after landing at Miami International Airport. He was questioned for 11 hours, then took a return flight to Istanbul, from where he had departed.

Artan was named Africa's referee of the year in 2025. Somalia's embassy in the United States is seeking a resolution so he can officiate once the tournament begins on Thursday.

The premier of British Columbia said he would welcome Artan to referee matches in Vancouver. That appears unworkable, as the referees' base camp and training site is in Miami.

Source: L'Équipe