Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football's governing body FIFA said on Monday.
FIFA emphasized that it was powerless to influence the decision, which it said was the sole preserve of tournament co-hosts the United States.
A spokesperson for United States Customs and Border Protection said Artan was denied entry following a routine inspection.
Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration as part of a broader immigration crackdown.
Artan was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA for the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He has been officiating in the Somali national football league championships since he became a FIFA referee in 2018.
