Tuesday June 9, 2026
Somalia may not be at the FIFA World Cup, but five individuals of Somali heritage will be there as players and officials, showcasing Somali representation on football's biggest stage. (Photo: Handout)
Miami, US – (HOL) — Several footballers of Somali heritage are set to appear at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, even as Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry to the United States and will miss the tournament.
The players include Qatar forward Akram Afif, Saudi Arabia defensive midfielder Mukhtar Ali, Tunisia midfielder Anis Ben Slimane and Sweden winger Taha Ali, whose participation has drawn attention among Somali football fans and diaspora communities.
Ben Slimane, who was born in Denmark and developed through Danish football, represents Tunisia at senior international level. The midfielder has played for clubs including Brondby, Sheffield United and Norwich City and was included in Tunisia’s World Cup squad.
Sweden’s Taha Ali, a winger known for his pace, direct running and attacking movement, is also part of the tournament. Born in Sweden to Somali parents, Ali has risen through Swedish football and is seen as another example of the growing presence of Somali-rooted players in international competition.
Another player with Somali heritage, Mukhtar Ali, represents Saudi Arabia internationally. A defensive midfielder of Somali descent, he plays his club football in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ettifaq FC. Born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Mukhtar Ali began his career in the youth academy of English club Chelsea.
Their participation comes as Somalia faces disappointment over Artan’s exclusion from the tournament.
Artan, one of Africa’s top referees, had been selected among FIFA’s 52 referees for the World Cup and was expected to become the first Somali official to referee at the tournament.
Trump administration authorities denied him entry after he arrived in South Florida on Saturday, according to the Department of Homeland Security. A spokesperson told Al Jazeera that Artan was found inadmissible because of “vetting concerns,” but did not provide further details.
FIFA said Monday that Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup after being denied entry.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr. Artan’s status will not be changed at present,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Artan’s arrival in the United States suggests he had obtained a valid visa before traveling, though U.S. authorities have final authority over entry decisions at the border.
Somalia is among the countries affected by U.S. travel restrictions imposed under President Donald Trump. The restrictions have raised concern among Somali officials and football supporters about the ability of Somali nationals to participate in major international events hosted in the United States.
Artan was recently named Africa’s best referee for 2025 at the CAF Awards in Rabat, Morocco. His selection for the World Cup had been widely celebrated in Somalia as a historic moment for the country’s football community.
