Somalia World Cup Referee And Iraqi Delegation Member Denied U.S. Entry

Somalia is among the nations listed on Trump's travel ban. However, FIFA made assurances leading up to the World Cup that participants would be welcomed.

Two members of the Iraqi World Cup delegation were detained at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

The team arrived last Friday from Dubai International Airport. But during processing, two members of the delegation were selected for additional inspection. It was reportedly routine in the CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.

Following the incident, one of the individuals was admitted to the U.S., but the other, a team photographer, was determined to be inadmissible and was denied entry due to “classified information in accordance with U.S. law.”

Separately, Somalia referee Omar Artan was also denied entry. Despite showing approved visas, paperwork, and proof that he’s a legitimate FIFA referee assigned to officiate the matches at the World Cup, Artan was sent back on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

This came after he was questioned for hours. Somalia is among the nations listed on Trump’s travel ban. However, FIFA made assurances leading up to the World Cup that participants would be welcomed.