Somali referee Omar Artan has returned home to a hero’s welcome after being denied entry into the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
More than 100 supporters gathered outside the VIP section of Mogadishu’s main airport to welcome the respected official. Waving Somali flags, they cheered as Artan arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight.
Speaking to journalists at the airport, Artan expressed disappointment over the setback but remained optimistic about his future.
“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,” he said.
The referee’s rejection has sparked strong reactions across Somalia, with many citizens and officials describing the decision as unfair.
Mohamed Said, a government official in Mogadishu, criticised the move and said it had caused pain beyond the football community.
“They wronged him in a way that hurts everybody that is concerned about humanity,” Said said while welcoming Artan at the airport.
Artan, who was named Men’s Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2025, had been selected as one of the officials for the FIFA World Cup scheduled to begin on Thursday in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, he was denied entry after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday.
According to a US State Department official, Artan was refused admission because he was allegedly associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations, making him ineligible to enter the country.
FIFA later confirmed that the Somali referee would no longer be part of the tournament’s officiating team.
Artan’s selection for the 52-member roster of referees had been celebrated widely in Somalia and across Africa. Many viewed his appointment as a significant achievement for the country’s football development.
Earlier this year, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan’s accomplishment, describing him as a symbol of inspiration for young Somalis striving to excel on the global stage.
Despite missing the upcoming World Cup, Artan has vowed to continue his career and work toward officiating at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
