New york: Social media has been buzzing with criticisms after Somalia's leading referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Artan, who had previously overcome visa complications after a wave of online support helped secure his approval, finally made the journey to the United States.
According to Ghana Web, he traveled from Kenya, transited through Turkey, and eventually landed in the USA with hopes of joining other elite officials preparing for FIFA duties. But upon arrival, the situation took a dramatic turn. Immigration authorities denied him entry, sending him back to Turkey without a clear explanation.
Football's governing body FIFA indicated that it has no control over immigration processes and therefore could not intervene. This development has sparked strong backlash on social media, with many arguing that the decision casts a dark shadow over the tournament, especially given the visa challenges facing officials.
Others blamed FIFA for failing to resolve immigration and visa issues with the host country before the tournament began, leaving players and officials vulnerable to public humiliation. There were even suggestions that countries should boycott the tournament to compel authorities to desist from such actions under the US President Donald Trump's administration.
Many critics argued that FIFA's decision to award hosting rights to the US was a mistake, considering the country's history of immigration challenges and visa issues. These sentiments are being shared not only by Africans but also globally, including by media outlets, fans, and pundits angered by the treatment of Omar Abdulkadir, Africa's best referee in 2025.