Somali Referee Denied Entry to U.S. Before World Cup

Omar Abdulkadir Altan, a Somali referee, was detained for half a day and then expelled from the United States, just prior to what would have been a historic match officiating opportunity at the World Cup.

Altan, who recently officiated major international matches at the African Cup of Nations and earned Africa’s Best Male Referee Award last year, was one of 52 officials chosen by FIFA for the tournament. He was supposed to be the first Somali referee at the World Cup but was taken off the list after he was refused entry.

In an interview with The New York Times, Altan stated he had all the necessary documents, including the appropriate visa and certification from FIFA before traveling to the U.S.

Unfortunately, the 34-year-old was held at Miami International Airport for about 11 hours during which he faced denial of entry, leading to his return to Istanbul, Turkey.

A source from President Trump’s administration indicated that his denial was based on concerns regarding potential terrorist connections. “This individual was seeking admission, but further inspection revealed information linking him to a suspected terrorist organization, making him ineligible for entry under the Immigration and Nationality Act,” the official explained.

FIFA later confirmed Altan’s status, stating, “Match official Omar Abdulkadir Altan will not be able to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to his denied entry into the U.S.” They noted that they have no role in the immigration procedures of the host country and that entry decisions lie with the government.

Complaints have also been raised regarding the treatment of Iran’s national soccer team, as reports indicated the U.S. had canceled ticket allocations for their supporters.

The White House previously commented, emphasizing the importance of national security and the refusal to allow individuals suspected of terrorist ties into the country.