Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, had his travel aided by the Somali Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, which said it had granted him a diplomatic passport to assist with visa complications.

He flew from Kenya to Turkey and then to Miami before being sent back. No justification has been provided.

FIFA announced last week that Artan’s visa status had been ‘completely resolved, and he will now be available to officiate at the FIFA World Cup’.

However, on Monday night, they issued a statement that read: “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after being denied entry into the United States.”

‘FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been notified by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not change at this time.

‘As with past FIFA events, the host government ultimately decides who receives a visa and who is accepted into their country.’

Somalia is on President Trump’s travel restriction list, and last month he claimed that Somali immigrants in America are all crooks. He referred to the country as ‘the worst country in the world’ in January.

Artan was voted Africa’s Best Referee for 2025 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in November.