FIFA president Gianni Infantino has described the exclusion of Somali referee Omar Artan from the 2026 World Cup as “unfortunate”, while insisting that football’s governing body does not have the power to override immigration decisions made by host countries.
Artan, who was due to officiate at the tournament after being named Africa’s Best Referee for 2025, was denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa and has since been ruled out of the competition.
His case has become one of the most controversial off-field stories in the build-up to the World Cup, raising questions about travel access for officials and participants from countries facing heightened security scrutiny.
Speaking publicly for the first time since FIFA confirmed Artan would miss the tournament, Infantino said the organisation had worked behind the scenes to find a solution.
“It’s unfortunate what happened to Omar,” Infantino said.
“But again, we don’t control everything. We try, we discuss, we see.”
The FIFA president suggested that efforts had been made through dialogue rather than public confrontation.
“Maybe it’s good to just chill, relax,” he added.
“We try to solve everything. Sometimes screaming and shouting has the opposite effect.”
Infantino’s comments appear to reflect FIFA’s position that diplomacy and engagement with authorities offer the best chance of resolving disputes involving visas and immigration.
The governing body has repeatedly stressed that while it organises the tournament, it has no authority over decisions regarding entry into sovereign nations.
Following Artan’s exclusion, FIFA said it had been informed by US authorities that his immigration status would not be changed and acknowledged that final decisions on admission remain the responsibility of host governments.
Omar Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport after arriving in the United States and was later deported. US officials have cited security vetting concerns, while a senior official said the decision was linked to alleged associations with suspected members of terrorist organisations. No further details have been publicly disclosed.
The referee has denied wrongdoing and said he was questioned for several hours about his travel history, Somali politics and the al-Shabab militant group before being refused entry.
His removal from the World Cup has prompted criticism from some football observers and politicians, who argue that the incident risks undermining the tournament’s image as a global celebration of sport.
Infantino, however, appeared keen to emphasise the limits of FIFA’s influence.
“Don’t believe me if you don’t want but we always try to find solutions,” he said.
“We are not the kings of the world.”
The remarks underline a growing challenge facing FIFA as it prepares for the largest World Cup in history. While the organisation can appoint referees, accredit participants and coordinate logistics, it ultimately relies on host nations to grant access to players, officials and support staff.
For Artan, that reality has ended his hopes of appearing at football’s biggest tournament despite reaching the pinnacle of African officiating.
For FIFA, meanwhile, the controversy has become a reminder that even the world’s most powerful sporting body cannot always guarantee who gets to take part in its showcase event.
