{"id":2612750,"date":"2026-06-10T02:31:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T06:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/world-cup-referee-denied-entry-to-the-us-due-to-ties-to-members-of-terror-organizations\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T02:33:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T06:33:01","slug":"world-cup-referee-denied-entry-to-the-us-due-to-ties-to-members-of-terror-organizations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/world-cup-referee-denied-entry-to-the-us-due-to-ties-to-members-of-terror-organizations\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup referee denied entry to the US due to ties to \u2018members of terror organizations\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fworld-cup-referee-denied-entry-to-the-us-due-to-ties-to-members-of-terror-organizations%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2612750&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Omar Artan, a Somali referee selected for the FIFA World Cup 2026, was denied entry to the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection initially cited \u201cvetting concerns\u201d without detailing the specific issue, but a Trump administration official later said derogatory information-described as <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >alleged associations wiht suspected <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmakers-consider-enacting-statute-to-increase-punishments-for-domestic-terrorism\/\" title=\"Lawmakers consider enacting statute to increase punishments for domestic terrorism\">terrorist organizations<\/a>-made<\/a> him ineligible under U.S. immigration law. Artan claims he provided the required documents and was interviewed for hours, but was not told the reason for the refusal; he said he believes the decision might potentially be tied to his country and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-democrat-regrets-backing-liberal-crime-bill-amid-retail-theft-epidemic\/\" title=\"CA Dem Regrets Supporting Liberal Crime Bill Amid Retail Theft &#039;Epidemic&#039;\">expressed deep disappointment<\/a> at not being able to officiate at the World Cup.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FIFA <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-cup\/\">World Cup 2026<\/a> referee denied entry into the United States for this year\u2019s tournament was turned away over suspected ties to terrorist organizations. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Omar Artan, from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/somalia\/\">Somalia<\/a>, arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday after departing from Istanbul. He was turned away at the airport by U.S. Customs and Border Protection due to \u201cvetting concerns.\u201d No other information about Artan being denied entry to the country was provided until today, when a Trump administration official released an updated statement.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4601274\/house-republicans-pass-immigration-enforcement-funding-package-vote\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>House Republicans pass immigration enforcement funding bill in party-line vote<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4600520\/state-department-additional-fee-fast-track-visa-interviews\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>State Department rolls out additional $750 fee to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republicans-pass-immigration-funding-bill\/\" title=\"House Republicans pass ... funding bill\">fast-track visa interviews<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4599957\/us-denies-entry-somali-world-cup-referee\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>US denies entry to World Cup referee from Somalia over \u2018vetting concerns\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis individual was seeking admission to the United States,\u201d read the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BillMelugin_\/status\/2064543055131144546\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statement<\/a> provided to Fox News. \u201cUpon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations, was discovered, making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: The Somali FIFA World Cup referee who was denied entry into the U.S. by CBP was flagged with \u201cderogatory\u201d information, including \u201cassociation with suspected members of terror organizations\u201d, making him inadmissible for entry into the U.S., a Trump admin official tells\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BillMelugin_\/status\/2064543055131144546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe traveler was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA,\u201d read the statement. President Trump\u2019s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country \u2013 full stop.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Previously, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4599957\/us-denies-entry-somali-world-cup-referee\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CBP released a statement<\/a> indicating that concerning information was discovered during an additional inspection Artan went through upon arriving in Miami. CBP never elaborated on what information found during the background check made him \u201cinadmissible.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDuring processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP\u2019s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,\u201d read the statement by CBP. \u201cFollowing inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Artan was initially selected as one of 52 referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. He was one of seven referees from Africa and would have been the first Somalian referee in World Cup history, according to multiple <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/06\/09\/world\/africa\/somali-referee-world-cup-us-entry-omar-artan.html\">reports<\/a>.\u00a0CBP explained that decisions on whether to admit people into the country are made on a \u201ccase-by-case basis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAdmissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,\u201d read a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/06\/09\/fifa-world-cup-somalia-referee-entry-block-customs-border-protection\/\">statement<\/a> by CBP. \u201cCBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an interview with <em>The New York Times<\/em>, Artan said he did everything that was asked of him by U.S. officials and that he was interviewed for 11 hours by immigration officials at the airport. He claimed he \u201chad the right papers and everything\u201d but was still denied entry. He claims no official explained to him the reason why he was not allowed to enter the U.S.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4599957\/us-denies-entry-somali-world-cup-referee\/\"><strong>US DENIES ENTRY TO WORLD CUP REFEREE FROM SOMALIA OVER \u2018VETTING CONCERNS\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think that they have a problem with my country,\u201d Artan told <em>The New York Times.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He expressed his disappointment with the rejection and his inability to fulfill his dream of becoming a referee at the FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am very, very disappointed,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/06\/09\/world\/africa\/somali-referee-world-cup-us-entry-omar-artan.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> Artan. \u201cI\u2019m just simply a referee who\u2019s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Somali referee denied U.S. entry over suspected terror ties<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2612751,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26144738189472.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[40796,81113,34619,56582,47370],"class_list":["post-2612750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-counterterrorism","tag-refereeing","tag-sports-news","tag-us-entry-ban","tag-world-cup"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26144738189472.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2612750"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2612754,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612750\/revisions\/2612754"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2612751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2612750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2612750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2612750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}