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YOU WONT BELIEVE: 2 | Mind Blowing Facts

The most inclusive World Cup ever? Tell that to Omar Artan, the Somali referee just banned by Trump’s US

This episode feels symbolic of a World Cup where the global game has been sacrificed to Fifa’s cynical money-making – and Trumpian whim, says Morgan Ofori, reporter and subeditor for the Guardian’s The Long Wave

The Guardian - UK

Somali World Cup ref held for 11 hours by Trump’s border police receives hero’s welcome at home and vows to return

A World Cup referee from Somalia, Omar Artan, was met by a crowd of supporters and officials in Mogadishu on Wednesday after being denied entry to the United States.

The Independent UK

Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero's welcome

A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States has returned to Somali’s capital of Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials

The Independent UK

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Trump administration says Somali referee denied US entry over links to ‘terror organisation’ suspects

Omar Artan, who was Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, endured an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry to the US last weekend despite being issued with a valid visa

The Independent UK

Somalia backs referee after he is denied entry to US

MOGADISHU - Somalia on Tuesday defended award-winning referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry to the United States and prevented from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals.

Bangkok Post

Kenya: One dead in protest against US Ebola quarantine centre

In tonight's programme: Violence flares in Kenya, leaving at least one person dead, as police confront protesters over an Ebola quarantine centre planned for US citizens. Also, there's outrage over the US ban on referee Omar Artan, who was set to make history as the first Somali to officiate at…

France 24

Two sleeps from the World Cup and geopolitics are shining bright

In today’s Football Daily: World Cup week continues, ‘Card Master’ and farewell Divock Origi

The Guardian - UK

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Everything wrong with the 2026 World Cup

WORLD CUP 2026: From unprecedented wars and rip-off ticket prices to Gianni Infantino selling football’s soul and Donald Trump’s determination to create a “Maga World Cup”, Miguel Delaney details how the 2026 tournament has been riddled with controversy

The Independent UK

Somali referee speaks out after being refused entry into US for World Cup 2026

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan says he has had his World Cup dreams dashed after he was refused entry at the US border.

The Independent UK

World Cup border issues continue as Cannavaro questions Uzbekistan security frisk

Iran's World Cup ticket allocation has been cancelled, and 13 delegation members remain without visas, forcing the team to base itself in Mexico. Meanwhile, a Somali referee was turned away, an Iraqi striker was held for seven hours in Chicago, and Senegalese players were body-searched on arrival.

Euronews

Top African referee denied entry into the US and will miss World Cup

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who says he was detained for 11 hours at Miami International Airport, would play no part in the World Cup.

Euronews

Frustrated Ian Wright criticises ‘World Cup of chaos’ after African referee denied entry

Ex-England star and pundit Wright cut a forlorn figure in an Instagram video two days before the tournament starts

The Independent UK

Host cities ready for kickoff in biggest World Cup ever as fans lament visa bans and ticket prices

The United States will host roughly 75% of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 78 of the 104 matches in the entire tournament taking place in 11 host cities.

Euronews

Somali football referee denied US entry will miss World Cup debut

The United States has denied entry to football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match.

Radio France Internationale

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Sports Illustrated

‘World Cup of Chaos’—Referee Expecting to Make History Denied Entry to U.S.

The official from Somalia flew from Istanbul to Miami with a diplomatic passport.

The Independent UK

World Cup 2026: Referee from Somalia denied entry to the US was about to make history

He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to "vetting concerns"

The National (Scotland)

Anger as Somali referee barred from US days before World Cup

AFRICA's top referee who was set to be the first from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup has been barred from entering the US, leading to…

The Independent UK

Somali referee Omar Artan refused entry to US and will miss World Cup

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The National (Scotland)

Top official to miss World Cup after being denied entry by the United States

A Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup has been denied entry to the United States.

Evening Standard

Somali referee Omar Artan to miss World Cup after being denied US entry visa

Omar Artan was reportedly turned away at Miami International Airport last weekend despite possessing valid travel documents

Bangkok Post

World Cup nears kickoff after pre-tournament turbulence

MEXICO CITY - The World Cup kicks off on Thursday with FIFA betting that the enduring appeal of the greatest footballing show on earth can rise above anger at soaring ticket prices, an uneasy political climate in Donald Trump's America and the shadow of conflict in the Middle East.

AAP

SOC:Somali World Cup referee refused entry to USA

Omar Artan will no longer be able to officiate at the World Cup after the Somali referee was denied entry to the United States.

AAP

Somali World Cup referee refused entry to USA

Omar Artan will no longer be able to officiate at the World Cup after the Somali referee was denied entry to the United States.

Bangkok Post

Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US: FIFA

LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football's governing body FIFA said on Monday.

France 24

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

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.

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