A Somali football referee says his World Cup dream has been cut short after he was denied entry into the United States.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was named Africa's Referee of the Year in 2025, has been removed from the officiating list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to reports, Artan was stopped on arrival in Miami, questioned for several hours and later deported after U.S. authorities declared him inadmissible.
A U.S. State Department official claimed he was linked to suspected members of terrorist organisations, an allegation Artan strongly denies.
The referee says he had all the required travel documents and was devastated by the decision.
"I am simply a referee trying to live the biggest dream of my life," he said.
FIFA said it had no authority over visa or immigration decisions, noting that host countries have the final say on who is allowed entry.
The Somali government has expressed regret over the development, describing Artan as one of the country's finest sporting talents.
The incident comes just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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