FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the case of Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the United States, "unfortunate."

• Omar Abdulkadir Artan, voted Africa's top men's referee, was refused entry to the United States despite reportedly having a valid visa.
• A US State Department official stated Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for admission.
• Artan would have been the first match official from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup finals.