A Somali referee acclaimed as the best in Africa has reportedly been denied entry to the United States and sent on a flight back to Istanbul.

A Somali referee acclaimed as the best in Africa has reportedly been denied entry to the United States and sent on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey upon arrival at Miami International Airport for the 2026 World Cup.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, had his travel facilitated by the Somali Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, who said they had granted him a diplomatic passport to help with visa-related issues.

He travelled from Kenya and transited through Turkey to Miami, before being sent back. No reason has been given. FIFA had last week confirmed that Artan's visa situation had been 'fully resolved and he will now be available to officiate at the FIFA World Cup'.

Somalia features on President Trump's travel ban list and last month he said 'they're all crooks' of Somali immigrants in America. In January he called the nation 'the worst country in the world

Artan was named Africa's Best Referee for 2025 at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in November.

America has refused to issue visas to some members of Iran's staff for the World Cup. Iran players were able to land in Mexico at the weekend while honoring the 168 school children killed in February's missile strike.

The entire squad were pictured disembarking from their plane with pins on their clothing bearing the number 168, risking the wrath of Trump and America.