Houston Sur 3:8 GFI 
FC Motown II 3:1 Hudson Valley Hammers 
West Chester United 3:1 Lone Star II 
Delaware FC 0:2 PA Classics 
La Fama 2:2 Britannia 
Argentina 3:0 Algeria 
Austria 3:1 Jordan 
Central Stallions 1:0 Ulaanbaatar 
Canberra White Eagles 1:2 Canberra FC 
Changnyeong W 1:6 Suwon FMC W 
Gyeongju W 0:1 Hwacheon KSPO W 
Gumi Sportstoto W 0:0 Incheon Red Angels W 
Seoul W 2:1 Boeun Sangmu W 
Khoromkhon 2:5 Ulaangom City 
Mbeya City 0:1 Simba 
Maniema Union 1:1 JSK 
Simba 0:0 Vita Club 
APEJES Academy 1:1 Kumba 
Singida Black Stars 5:0 Dodoma Jiji 
Gareji 0:0 Shturmi 
Merani Martvili 2:1 Samtredia 
Gazelle 0:2 Canon 
Don Bosco 0:3 TP Mazembe 
Molodechno-DYuSSh 4 1:4 Bate Borisov 
Arsenal Tula 1:2 Volga Ulyanovsk 
Kolkheti Poti 1:1 Gori 
Grindavik 0:1 Fylkir 
IR Reykjavik 2:1 Grotta 
Kairat Almaty 3:0 Kyzyl-Zhar 
Atlantic 0:1 Union Abong-Mbang 
Omar Artan, the first Somali referee selected to officiate at the men’s World Cup finals, has been denied entry to the United States. The decision dashes his chance to take part in the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Who Is Omar Artan and What Happened?
Artan is a highly respected referee from Somalia who earned a historic spot among officials for the 2026 World Cup. He was set to become the first Somali to officiate at the tournament. However, upon attempting to travel to the US, he was barred from entering the country.
- Artan had been preparing for the World Cup and was expected to join other match officials in the US.
- The exact reason for the denial has not been publicly detailed, but it has raised concerns about travel restrictions affecting sports officials.
Impact on Somali Football and the World Cup
Artan’s exclusion is a major setback for Somali football, which saw his selection as a milestone for representation. His absence leaves a gap in the officiating team and highlights broader issues with visa and entry policies for international sports figures.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, with matches spread across North America. Artan’s case has sparked discussions among football federations about ensuring equal access for all qualified officials.
Reactions and Next Steps
Football officials in Somalia and international refereeing bodies have expressed disappointment over the decision. Some call for an urgent review of the entry process to prevent similar situations in the future.
Artan himself has made no public comment, but his removal from the World Cup roster is seen as a loss for diversity in the sport.
What This Means for Future Tournaments
Artan’s denied entry underscores the challenges faced by officials from certain nations when traveling to host countries. It remains to be seen whether steps will be taken to resolve such barriers before the 2026 tournament begins. For now, a historic moment for Somali football has been postponed indefinitely.