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A Somali World Cup referee, who was denied introduction into nan U.S. days earlier nan tourney kicked disconnected successful North America by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), was flagged for "derogatory" information, including "association pinch suspected members of panic organizations," a Trump management charismatic told Fox News.
The emblem made Omar Artan inadmissible for introduction into nan U.S.
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Referee Omar Artan arrives successful Mogadishu, Somalia, aft being denied introduction to nan United States connected June 10, 2026. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP)
"This individual was seeking admittance to nan United States," a Trump management charismatic said successful a statement. "Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including relation pinch suspected members of panic organizations, was discovered making nan traveler ineligible for admittance to nan United States nether nan Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
"The traveler was refused admittance and fixed migration forms that supply nan conception of rule utilized to complete an expedited removal nether 8235 of nan INA. President Trump's management will not let immoderate information threat to participate our state - afloat stop."
Artan was denied introduction astatine Miami International Airport connected Saturday complete "vetting concerns," nan CBP said successful a statement. He was reportedly issued a visa to nan U.S. past week, according to nan Somalia Embassy successful Kenya that processed it. He was group to meet pinch different referees for training astatine their guidelines successful Miami.
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Referee Omar Artan of Somalia is confronted by players aft calling a punishment footwear during nan CAF Champions League last betwixt AS FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns successful Rabat, Morocco, connected May 24, 2026. (Mosa'ab Elshamy/AP)
He returned location to Somalia connected Wednesday and thanked supporters.
"I committedness you, God willing, that I will be nan adjacent one," he said. "I want nan Somali nationalist to return comfortableness successful this and stay confident."
Somalia is 1 of astir 3 twelve countries subject to recreation restrictions nether nan Trump management arsenic it has focused connected forbidden immigration. Artan was group to beryllium nan first referee from Somalia to officiate successful nan World Cup and is among nan apical referees successful Africa.
"It is up to each of america to take sides nan Somali name," Artan said. "Somalia belongs to us, whether it is successful a bad authorities aliases a bully state. That emblem belongs to us, and that passport belongs to us."
Referee Omar Artan is welcomed by supporters upon his presence successful Mogadishu, Somalia, connected June 10, 2026, aft being denied introduction to nan United States. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/Associated Press)
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The World Cup originates connected Thursday pinch nan U.S., Mexico and Canada each hosting matches. The World Cup last takes spot connected July 18 astatine MetLife Stadium successful East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is simply a elder editor for Fox News Digital.
