Omar Artan says he had the right papers and visa after being barred from US entry for World Cup

Somali referee Omar Artan has said he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before being denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, despite holding what he described as the “right papers” and the “right visa”.

Artan, who was travelling for the tournament, said the lengthy questioning ended with officials refusing him entry. His comments have drawn attention to the difficulties some travellers can face when entering the United States, even when they believe they have met the required documentation rules.

Artan describes 11-hour interview

According to Artan, the process began with an extended immigration interview that lasted for 11 hours. He said he had prepared the necessary documents and was confident he had complied with the entry requirements, but was still turned away.

Artan’s account has highlighted the personal impact of the decision, with the referee saying he had the correct paperwork and visa for the trip. The denial meant he was unable to continue with his World Cup plans in the United States.

Denied entry despite correct documents

The referee’s case has raised questions about how immigration checks are applied at the border, particularly for international sports officials travelling to major events. Artan said he was barred from entering the country even though he believed his documentation was in order.

His experience comes amid wider scrutiny of travel and visa processes for people involved in global football tournaments. While the details of the immigration decision have not been publicly expanded upon, Artan’s remarks make clear that he felt he had followed the proper procedure.

For Artan, the outcome was a frustrating end to a journey that was meant to take him to one of football’s biggest stages. His statement that he had the “right papers” and “right visa” underlines his view that the refusal was unexpected and unjustified from his perspective.