Canadian political leaders have publicly supported Somali referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry into the United States, a decision that has ruled him out of officiating his assigned matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport on Monday by officials from the United States Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection and later deemed inadmissible, with reports citing alleged “association with suspected members of terror organizations.” He was subjected to an 11-hour secondary inspection, during which he was questioned extensively about his travel purpose, Somali politics, and alleged militant links before being placed on a flight to Istanbul.
The decision means the referee will no longer take charge of matches at the upcoming tournament hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico by FIFA FIFA.
British Columbia Premier David Eby, who oversees one of the Canadian host regions for the tournament in Vancouver, publicly expressed his disappointment and extended an invitation for Artan to be welcomed in Canada.
“Mr. Artan would be welcomed and celebrated in British Columbia for what he’s overcome and where he is today,” Eby said on social media. “Let’s have him referee in Vancouver.”
Toronto mayor Olivia Chow, whose city is set to host six World Cup matches, including Canada’s opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, also condemned the decision and offered support.
“Denying entry to Omar Artan, who has earned his place on the world stage through hard work and perseverance, is not right,” Chow said. “Toronto believes in fairness, inclusion, and giving talent the opportunity to shine. He would be welcome to referee here in our city. I will be writing to FIFA to let them know he is welcome to referee here.”
However, despite the goodwill from Canadian officials, Artan’s immediate involvement in the tournament now appears unlikely. According to officials involved in referee preparations, all match officials are required to attend a mandatory on-pitch training camp in Florida as part of final World Cup preparations and security protocols. Without completing this process, referees cannot be assigned to tournament fixtures.
Artan himself acknowledged the setback after returning to Somalia, where he was greeted by a large crowd at Mogadishu airport. Speaking briefly to supporters, he maintained a positive outlook despite the disappointment.
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” he said, adding that he remained hopeful for future opportunities on the global stage.
The situation has sparked wider political debate, particularly across North America, as it comes amid ongoing immigration restrictions affecting several nations linked to the World Cup. Somalia is among countries currently impacted by broader entry limitations introduced under U.S. policy frameworks.
The incident also adds another layer of tension around preparations for the 2026 tournament, which has already faced logistical and political scrutiny regarding visa access for players, officials, and supporters. Some federations have previously raised concerns about travel restrictions impacting team operations, while others continue to push FIFA to guarantee smoother entry processes.
For Artan, the focus now shifts away from the World Cup and back to his refereeing career in Africa and international competitions outside the United States’ jurisdiction. His supporters insist the controversy should not overshadow his rise through FIFA’s refereeing ranks.
What remains unclear is whether FIFA will consider reallocating his appointment to matches hosted in Canada or Mexico, or if his tournament involvement is now fully closed. For now, the governing body has not issued a detailed public statement on the specific case.
As political leaders in Canada continue to advocate for his inclusion, the broader debate around immigration policy and its impact on global sporting events is expected to intensify in the build-up to kickoff.
