The man who runs the White House World Cup Task Force has given clarity as to why Africa’s best referee was denied entry.

Andrew Giuliani, the White House’s executive director for the FIFA World Cup Task Force, simply stated the United States of America would not allow individuals associated with bad actors in.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a FIFA-certified match official, was denied entry into the US, a joint host country of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Initial response from the US revealed the referee was deemed “inadmissible” after an extensive screening upon his arrival in Miami due to traveler verification procedures.

Giuliani has added that though President Donald Trump welcomes people of every race, religion, and political background to the US, it does not mean bad actors or their associates will be admitted.