Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals, has been dropped from the list of officials after he was denied entry to the United States.

Africa's top referee will not be allowed to officiate at the World Cup after he was refused entry to the USA, FIFA has confirmed.

Artan was one of 52 head referees chosen to officiate the World Cup, per a FIFA announcement in April, making him the first Somali to have that opportunity.