Somali international 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.
Artan was expected to officiate matches at the tournament and would have become the first Somali referee in history to work at a FIFA World Cup.
Despite reportedly holding a valid visa, he was turned away at the border in Miami over the weekend, leading FIFA to remove him from the tournament’s referee list.
His exclusion sparked outrage and disappointment across the football world, with many questioning the decision and its impact on the sport.
When Artan arrived back in Mogadishu, large crowds gathered to welcome him home, waving Somali flags and celebrating his achievements. Supporters surrounded the referee and draped him in the Somali flag as he greeted the public.
Artan is regarded as one of Africa’s leading football referees and was named Africa’s best male referee in 2025.
Speaking after arriving home, he thanked the Somali government, FIFA and supporters for standing by him during the controversy.
He also encouraged Somali youth not to lose hope and to remain proud of their country despite the challenges facing Somalia.
“Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad. I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country,” Artan said.
The Trump administration claimed Artan was denied entry because of alleged links to suspected members of terror organisations, although no public evidence has been released.
The Somalia Embassy in Kenya confirmed that Artan had been issued a visa before travelling to the US, where he was expected to join other World Cup referees at a training base in Miami.
The incident has also raised concerns about the United States’ ability to host global sporting events fairly, especially as the country co-hosts the FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.
Somalia remains among several countries affected by tightened US immigration and travel restrictions introduced under the Trump administration.
Despite the setback, many Somalis have celebrated Artan’s achievement as a symbol of hope and progress for the country.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also praised Artan on social media, saying his achievement still stands regardless of the controversy.
