- Omar Artan, the first Somali referee ever named to a World Cup squad, was denied entry to the U.S. after arriving in Miami and was cut from the tournament.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection said he was found “inadmissible due to vetting concerns” after lengthy questioning at the airport, and he was sent back to Istanbul despite holding a visa.
- Artan — recently named Africa’s best male referee — stayed positive, and the incident has raised concerns that new U.S. travel restrictions could affect African players, fans and officials.
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