Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, returned to a hero's welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday and vowed to officiate at the next tournament in 2030.
Hero's Welcome in Mogadishu
Artan arrived at Aden Abdulle Osman International Airport to a crowd of over 100 supporters and journalists. Waving the Somali flag, the crowd cheered as the referee stepped off the plane. Artan addressed the gathering, expressing his determination despite the setback.
“I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud... Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” Artan said. He thanked the Somali government, the people, and FIFA for their support.
Denied Entry to the US
Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over “vetting concerns,” according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A CBP statement cited “derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations,” which made him ineligible for admission under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The statement emphasized that “President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country — full stop.”
Artan had been issued a visa to travel to the US last week, processed by the Somalia Embassy in Kenya. However, upon inspection by CBP, he was refused admission and given an expedited removal under section 8235 of the INA.
Impact on World Cup Participation
As a result of the denial, FIFA removed Artan from the tournament's referee list. He was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup, having been named Africa's best male referee in 2025. Artan is considered one of the continent's top referees.
Promise for 2030
Despite the disappointment, Artan remained upbeat. “I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” he told supporters at the airport. “I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.”
His return was marked by celebrations, with many Somalis expressing pride in his achievements and support for his future endeavors.
