FIFA is facing growing criticism after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Artan had been set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at the tournament, but reports indicate that he has now been prevented from travelling to the host nation.
The decision has prompted strong reactions from figures across the football community, with former officials, pundits and players criticising both the situation and FIFA’s response.
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett said the governing body should compensate Artan financially after failing to support his case.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said:
“This appears to be so unfair, depriving a young referee of the opportunity to officiate at a World Cup. The pathway to the top is incredibly difficult, and this referee has developed a career that has seen him meet the challenges and rise to the elite level.
“I am sure that his family and federation will be so disappointed. Referees expected to earn in the region of $100,000 (£74,630). So, I hope that FIFA, who have failed in supporting his case, will make a discretionary payment of $100,000 to him and his family.”
Hackett’s comments were echoed by former referee Christina Unkel, who said the decision had generated widespread concern among officials already gathered for the tournament.
Unkel, who is due to work as a pundit for ITV during the World Cup, told talkSPORT:
“It made me incredibly sick.
“It went through the refereeing community – the referees have been in camp in Miami since this past Sunday, so over a week. The news circulated very quickly that this individual – not because of anything he’s done, a past history, just because he’s been stereotyped due to the country he’s from. It’s not a World Cup if you don’t allow the world to come in.”
The controversy has also drawn criticism from former England national football team and Arsenal FC striker Ian Wright, who used social media to express frustration over what he described as growing organisational problems surrounding the tournament.
Wright said:
“I’ve just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry. Every few hours it’s another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs.
“You know something I’m laughing but it’s not funny, it’s actually not funny and something has to be said. The expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said.
“Is this how the hosts behave really for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world, is this how the hosts behave? Are we not hearing more? Are we seeing how Qatar got dragged, are we not hearing more? Is this the spirit of football, really?
“You know who I feel for? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this, American soccer fans who are desperate for this, how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.
“This is the World Cup, this is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious chaos to get this done. I hope we can do it, but something has to be said now. This is the World Cup.”
The incident has intensified debate around access, organisation and international participation ahead of the expanded 2026 tournament, which is being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
