Suspected of ties to terrorists. White House comments on deportation of Africa's top referee

An unprecedented scandal erupted on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup kickoff.

Details: According to Polymarlet Sports, the White House has officially confirmed that FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from Somalia was denied entry into the United States. The US administration stated that the drastic measure, taken by Customs and Border Protection, was based on information linking him to individuals suspected of involvement with terrorist organizations.

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The decision by US immigration authorities instantly shattered a historic achievement: 34-year-old Artan, recognized as Africa's best referee of 2025, was set to become the first Somali official in World Cup history.

The football referee arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul with a valid visa, but after an 11-hour interrogation—during which he was questioned about Somali politics and Al-Shabaab militants—he was declared "inadmissible" on national security grounds and deported back.

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