Somali referee receives hero’s welcome after US entry denial

Somalian referee Omar Artan received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday as he returned to Mogadishu after being denied entry to the United States, a decision that prevented him from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Artan had been set to become the first referee from Somalia to oversee matches at a World Cup after earning a place on FIFA’s final list of officials.

Widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees, he was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.

However, Artan was refused entry upon arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday.
US Customs and Border Protection cited unspecified ‘vetting concerns’, while FIFA subsequently removed him from the tournament’s referee roster.

The Somalia Embassy in Kenya, which processed his visa application, confirmed that he had been issued a valid visa only days before travelling to the United States.

Hundreds of supporters, football officials and government representatives gathered at Aden Adde International Airport to welcome him home.

Waving Somali flags, supporters surrounded Artan before escorting him to the airport’s VIP terminal.
Addressing the crowd, Artan remained optimistic about the future.

“I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” he said as hundreds of supporters at the airport waved the Somali flag.

“I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.”
He also urged young Somalis to take pride in their nation.

“It is up to all of us to defend the Somali name,” Artan said.
“Somalia belongs to us, whether it is in a bad state or a good state. That flag belongs to us, and that passport belongs to us.”