US Defends Denying Entry to Somali Referee, White House Official Explains

Key News for the 2026 World Cup

(WASHINGTON, Reuters) The head of the White House World Cup working group on Thursday defended the decision to deny visas to a Somali referee and some logistical staff for the Iranian team; a US State Department official revealed the referee is suspected of having links to members of a terrorist organization.

Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and executive director of the working group, said at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council in Washington: "As of now, we have 35 teams that have entered the United States."

"No players, no coaches have been denied. Some officials have been denied, and for good reason," Andrew Giuliani said.

A US State Department official told AFP on Thursday evening that the referee "is suspected of having links to members of a terrorist organization," which "renders this traveler ineligible for entry into the United States."

Andrew Giuliani was specifically asked about the decision to bar Somali referee Omar Artan from entering the country.

He added: "We are striking a balance, ensuring that any bad actors who try to use the World Cup as a pretext to enter our country... cannot enter the United States."

Artan was named the Best Male Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football in 2025 and was set to become the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup. He was repatriated at Miami Airport.

Somalia is one of several countries on the travel ban list issued by the Trump administration, part of a broader immigration crackdown.

The Iranian team is scheduled to play three group stage matches on US soil but was forced to move its training base to Mexico due to ongoing military conflicts with the US.

The Iranian Football Federation said on Thursday that tickets allocated to supporters had been revoked and some team logistical staff had been denied visas.

Andrew Giuliani noted that "all of the Iranian coaching staff will enter," but "some Iranian officials will not come in, and for very good reason as well."

He said he "cannot reveal details," but "some people claim to be coaches but may not be coaches."

Andrew Giuliani stated that Trump wants to ensure a "level playing field" for all teams participating in the World Cup, "while also ensuring that those, for example, who work directly for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), do not have the ability to enter the United States of America."

The White House envoy also pointed out that there is currently "no specific threat" to the event, but intelligence agencies have "doubled their vigilance" and will continue to closely monitor the situation "from now until the final goal is scored on July 19th." (Translation: Li Peishan) 1150610

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