Somalia referee Omar Artan selected for World Cup 2026 denied US entry: History says he may not get this chance again

Somalia referee Omar Ortan is on the brink of a lifelong dream of officiating at the 2026 World Cup. But that dream was dashed in an instant when the US Border Patrol (CBP) denied him entry into the country. Referees around the world have watched this development with pain — because they all know the sacrifices and the competition it takes to get to this level.

Growing up as a referee doesn't happen as fast as growing up as a player. In England, it takes an average of two decades for a referee to go from blowing the whistle at local level to making it onto the international roster — even quicker than becoming a brain surgeon, former officials say. Although growth is likely to be faster in countries with smaller football systems, Artan's hard work, training and travel all come with little reward. Let's hope he gets paid for the tournament he has to participate in — there's room in FIFA's coffers for that.

CBP can justify its decision to strictly enforce the rule in this incident. White House Director Andrew Giuliani also told the BBC he believes CBP made the right decision. However, just as a referee adjusts his style depending on the circumstances of a match, the question arises as to whether it is common sense not to show a little relaxation according to the occasion. The debate also started as to whether FIFA had a duty to anticipate the strictness of US entry policies especially on Somali citizens and find alternative arrangements.

As Africa's top-rated official, Artan is expected to be drafted into the crucial tournament at the group stage, say colleagues. If there is better rules, another match will get a chance. Although Qatar 2022 has six officials from Africa, none have appeared on the field in the knockout stages — a record that Artan has no chance of breaking. But with a single denial of entry, all calculations were turned upside down.

Some speculated that he could be based in Mexico or Canada and give matches, but that's not how refereeing operations work. On-field officials, video assistant referees (VAR) — all at the same base — at World Cups. Training every day, watching matches together, discussing events — everything happens as a group. After each round FIFA Chief Referee Pierluigi Collina reviews; All key decisions are analyzed in detail. If Artan goes straight on the field without this background process, there is a risk that his match management will go against the organization's expectations. Although VAR can correct a major mistake, it cannot influence game management.

Orton is 34. There is hope for a return in six or four years, but history may not be so kind. Algerian official Mustafa Ghorbal is the only one of the six Africans in Qatar 2022 to be re-selected for the tournament. Form may slip, injuries may hinder — chances are rare that the door will come knocking a second time.

An ancient example is enough to show how brutal this profession is. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher ruptured his Achilles tendon just 20 minutes into the first match of Euro 1996 in England (France vs Bulgaria, Newcastle United at St James' Park). Paul Durkin stepped into the ring as a substitute that day; Later he got the opportunity to go as an official for England in the 1998 World Cup. Gallagher never got that chance again.

This World Cup will have a total of 52 referees — a deck of cards — to complete the group. But for months to come, one card will be missing from that deck. Even the rest of the officers find it strange — because one of them is sitting in front of a screen, dreaming of 'what ifs'.