The visa barrier: Africa’s best referee will not be able to officiate the 2026 World Cup in the US
Omar Abdulqadir Artan, the Somali referee who was recognized as the best referee for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will not be able to officiate the World Cup in the US. The consulate has denied him a visa, thereby excluding him from the FIFA referee pool for this tournament.

Instead of stepping onto the field and officiating the match, Artan will have to watch the tournament through television. “It’s completely chaotic,” said the referee in his statement. “I’ve gone through all the necessary procedures with FIFA, and I’ve received official appointment. But bureaucratic obstacles are preventing me from fulfilling my duties as a referee.”

This situation reveals a systemic problem in the coordination between FIFA and the host countries. According to regulations, all referees must obtain their visas at least four months before the start of the tournament. A refusal without any explanation is rare, but it’s not unheard of in world cup history. For the African referee community, this is a significant loss. Artan has consistently been among the top five referees in Africa over the past two seasons, and he was considered a key figure for officiating matches in the group stage.

FIFA has not yet issued any official comments. However, experts suggest that there may be an emergency request to replace Artan by the Somali Football Federation or through relevant committees. There’s less than a year left before the start of the World Cup, and any lack of clarity will make it difficult for the referees to prepare properly.

While diplomatic and sports authorities are trying to find a solution, football risks losing one of the most promising referees of this generation at this important stage of his career. The fairness of the tournament depends not only on the accuracy of the whistles on the field, but also on the transparency of the procedures involved.