Somali referee Omar Artan received a warm welcome from supporters and government officials on Wednesday as he returned to Mogadishu after being denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan had been set to make history as the first Somali referee selected to officiate at a World Cup after earning a place on FIFA’s final list of match officials. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees, he was named the continent’s Best Male Referee in 2025.
However, his World Cup dream was cut short after he was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the decision was made due to unspecified “vetting concerns.” Following the incident, FIFA removed Artan from its list of officials for the tournament.
The Somalia Embassy in Kenya, which handled his visa application, confirmed that Artan had been granted a U.S. visa just days before his planned trip. He was expected to join fellow World Cup referees at a training camp in Miami ahead of the competition, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite the disappointment, Artan was greeted by cheering supporters upon his arrival in Mogadishu. Speaking at the airport, he thanked the Somali government, the Somali people, and FIFA for standing by him during the ordeal.
Artan also expressed optimism about the future, saying he intends to work toward officiating at the next FIFA World Cup and encouraging young Somalis to take pride in their country and pursue their ambitions despite setbacks.
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