A Somali referee will not officiate at the FIFA World Cup after being refused entry to the United States. US Customs and Border Protection reported that a Somali national intending to serve as a referee was denied admission upon arrival at Miami International Airport from Istanbul. Although the statement did not name the individual, the referee in question is the sole World Cup official from Somalia.
FIFA later confirmed that the referee would be unable to prepare or work at the tournament and issued a statement on his behalf. The referee expressed a positive outlook despite the situation and said he remains focused on future opportunities in his career. He thanked FIFA and the African football federation for their support and wished his colleagues success at the event.
FIFA stated it played no role in immigration decisions and had been informed that the referee’s status would not change. The organization noted that the host government decides on visas and entry. CBP explained that additional checks during processing led to the denial due to vetting concerns. All travelers, including sports personnel, undergo inspection upon arrival.
