FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed the high-profile exclusion of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the situation as unfortunate while emphasizing that FIFA does not hold authority over national immigration and security decisions.
Speaking at a press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the tournament, Infantino stated: “It is unfortunate what happened to Omar, the referee from Somalia. But again, we don’t control everything. We try always to find solutions, but then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces — we are a sports organization.” He added that FIFA works on the sports side to unite the world and seeks solutions to arising problems, while noting that security concerns often take precedence in the current global climate.
When pressed on whether FIFA had lost control of aspects of its own event due to visa denials affecting Artan and others, Infantino pushed back, urging reporters to “chill and relax” — later clarifying that he meant the organization was actively working on resolutions rather than doing nothing. He drew comparisons to hypothetical scenarios in other host countries to underscore that FIFA cannot dictate entry policies to sovereign governments.
Artan, named Africa’s top men’s referee in 2025 and set to become the first Somali official at a World Cup, was denied entry to the United States at Miami airport despite holding a valid visa, leading to his removal from the match officials list. FIFA confirmed it could not override the U.S. authorities’ decision.
Infantino’s comments reflect the organization’s position of acknowledging the disappointment while distancing itself from direct responsibility amid broader visa challenges for participants from certain nations.
