Somali referee dropped from World Cup after being refused entry to US

AI Summary

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been excluded from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry to the United States. This decision blocks him from becoming the first Somali official to referee at the tournament.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been ruled out of officiating at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, FIFA said Monday, in a decision that prevents him from becoming the first Somali official to referee at the tournament.