Omar Artan

Yiembe will be part of an all-East African officiating team led by Somalia’s Omar Artan, who will be the centre referee for the clash.

The Standard·Kenya· 2026-08-12

Omar Artan was appointed by FIFA as a referee for the tournament but was denied entry into the USA.

Politiken·Denmark· 2026-07-28

Somali referee Omar Artan became arguably the highest-profile casualty of President Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown.

The Standard·Kenya· 2026-07-28

Omar Artan was mentioned in relation to a ban on entry that was imposed on him.

Delo – major Slovenian daily, est. 1959·Slovenia· 2026-07-28

Somali referee Omar Artan was not allowed to enter the USA for the World Cup.

Süddeutsche Zeitung·Germany· 2026-07-27

The criticisms regarding visa issues affected some fans and referee Omar Artan, who could not travel to the tournament.

El Tiempo·Colombia· 2026-07-27

Omar Artan was denied entry to officiate a World Cup match, making him the first Somali referee to face such an issue.

O Globo·Brazil· 2026-07-26

Omar Artan was to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup but was denied entry to the US.

The Guardian·United Kingdom· 2026-07-23

Omar Artan, Africa's best referee, was denied entry into the USA despite being scheduled to officiate several matches.

Index.hu·Hungary· 2026-07-22

Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S. before the tournament.

VnExpress – leading Vietnamese online newspaper, est. 2001·Vietnam· 2026-07-20

Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the tournament.

Delo – major Slovenian daily, est. 1959·Slovenia· 2026-07-18

The barring of the Somali referee Omar Artan from the World Cup.

The Guardian·United Kingdom· 2026-07-17

Omar Artan was denied entry into the USA to officiate at 2026 World Cup fixtures due to alleged vetting concerns.

The Gleaner – major Jamaican newspaper, est. 1834·Jamaica· 2026-07-10

Omar Artan faced entry restrictions to the U.S., leading to accusations that Infantino lost control over the World Cup.

Jutarnji List – Croatian daily newspaper, est. 1998·Croatia· 2026-07-07

Omar Artan faced entry restrictions to the U.S., leading to accusations that Infantino lost control over the World Cup.

Jutarnji List – Croatian daily newspaper, est. 1998·Croatia· 2026-07-07

Omar Artan is mentioned as a referee who was banned from participating in the World Cup.

Vijesti – largest independent Montenegrin daily, est. 1997·Montenegro· 2026-07-06

Celebrated Somali football referee Omar Artan is confident of officiating in the next Fifa World Cup to be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain in 2030.

The Standard·Kenya· 2026-07-04

Omar Artan was appointed as a referee for the upcoming Super Cup, despite being denied entry to the US.

Kathimerini·Greece· 2026-07-04

Omar Artan faced challenges in obtaining entry to the USA despite having a visa.

Delo – major Slovenian daily, est. 1959·Slovenia· 2026-06-28

Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the US before the tournament.

The Sydney Morning Herald·Australia· 2026-06-26

Somalian referee Omar Artan was forbidden from entering the country for the World Cup.

The Irish Times – major Irish daily, est. 1859·Ireland· 2026-06-26

Omar Artan, a Somali referee, was denied entry to the United States.

El Universo – major Ecuadorian daily, est. 1921·Ecuador· 2026-06-24

Omar Artan was deported upon arrival in the USA.

Diari d’Andorra – major newspaper in the Principality·Andorra· 2026-06-22

Omar Artan is the referee who disallowed two goals for Al Ahly during the match.

Youm7·Egypt· 2025-04-20

Omar Artan is the referee who disallowed two goals for Al Ahly during the match.

Youm7·Egypt· 2025-04-20