From Dispatch Room
A major controversy has emerged ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after highly regarded African referee **Omar Abdulkadir Artan** was reportedly denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate at the tournament.
Artan, who hails from Djibouti and is considered one of Africa’s leading match officials, was named among the referees chosen by FIFA for the expanded 48-team World Cup being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to reports, visa and immigration complications prevented the referee from entering the United States, creating uncertainty over his participation in the competition. The development has sparked concern within African football circles, with many questioning how a FIFA-appointed official could encounter such difficulties so close to the start of the tournament.
The 32-year-old referee has built a strong reputation across African football, having officiated matches in CAF competitions, FIFA tournaments and international fixtures. His inclusion in the World Cup referee pool was viewed as recognition of his growing stature on the global stage.
Football observers have noted that Artan’s absence would be a significant setback for African representation among match officials at the tournament. Referees from the continent have increasingly earned recognition for their performances in major international competitions in recent years.
Neither FIFA nor United States immigration authorities had issued a detailed public explanation at the time of reporting. Efforts are reportedly ongoing to resolve the situation and determine whether the Djiboutian official will be able to join the tournament later.
The incident comes as FIFA prepares to launch the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 nations and matches spread across host cities in North America.
Should the issue remain unresolved, FIFA may be forced to make adjustments to its officiating roster, potentially replacing Artan with another referee from its reserve list.
— Newspot Nigeria
