FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed the controversy surrounding Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States and deported ahead of the 2026 World Cup, insisting the global football body has no authority over host nations’ security or immigration policies.
“We do not control everything that happens in the world,” Infantino told reporters on the eve of the tournament. “We do not control countries or their security apparatus. We operate on the sporting side—we are a sports organization. We strive to unite the world and work towards finding solutions to all the problems that occur.”
The remarks marked Infantino’s first public comments on an incident that has cast a shadow over the opening of the World Cup, which begins Thursday in Mexico City.
A historic opportunity denied
Artan, 34, was set to become the first Somali to officiate at a men’s World Cup, having earned a place among Africa’s elite referees. He was named the Confederation of African Football’s 2025 referee of the year and recently handled the decisive leg of the CAF Champions League final.
Despite holding a valid U.S. visa issued through the Somali Embassy in Kenya, Artan was detained for 11 hours upon arrival at Miami International Airport and subsequently deported to Istanbul. U.S. Customs and Border Protection cited unspecified “vetting concerns,” while the Trump administration later alleged links to “suspected members of terror organizations.” No formal charges or public evidence have been produced.
Artan returned to Mogadishu to a hero’s welcome, with hundreds of supporters waving Somali flags. He called the episode “unfortunate” but vowed to return, saying, “I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud.”
FIFA’s limited role
Infantino’s comments reflect FIFA’s longstanding position that host governments retain sole authority over visa and entry decisions. A FIFA spokesperson had previously stated, “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes … a host government ultimately determines who receives a a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
However, critics have questioned why FIFA did not intervene more forcefully on behalf of an officially accredited match official, particularly given Infantino’s close relationship with President Trump. The incident has also reignited scrutiny of U.S. travel policies affecting citizens from a dozen countries, including Somalia.
As the World Cup kicks off, Infantino reiterated football’s unifying mission. “We are a sports organization,” he said. “We strive to unite the world.” But for Artan, that unity remains just out of reach—at least until 2030.
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