Somali Referee Denied US Entry for World Cup Returns Home as a Hero

Mogadishu, Somalia – Just days after news that Somali referee Omar Artan had been selected to officiate at the World Cup, bringing pride and hope to football fans across the country, a harsh reality set in: he will not be able to attend due to US entry restrictions.

Artan, hailed as Africa's top referee in 2025, was denied entry at Miami International Airport and sent back to Istanbul, despite holding a valid visa and US State Department rules that exempt travel ban restrictions for participants in major sporting events. Border officials deemed him "inadmissible" citing unspecified "vetting concerns."

Arriving at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Wednesday, Artan was greeted on the tarmac by senior government officials and thousands of jubilant supporters waiting outside. Speaking to the crowd, Artan thanked the Somali people and government for their support, declaring: "Somalia belongs to all of us. Whether in good times or difficult ones, I want to tell the youth not to lose hope in our country."

Earlier, Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports expressed "deep sadness" over the decision, noting the government had undertaken "extensive diplomatic efforts" and negotiations with US authorities, but to no avail. FIFA said the issue falls under the jurisdiction of US immigration authorities and is beyond the organization's control. However, Somali officials argue that FIFA bears ultimate responsibility.

Somali sports journalist Mohamed Salad described the outcome as a heavy blow to the nation. "When Omar was selected, Somalis celebrated as if the national team had qualified for the World Cup. For the first time, we had someone born and raised in Somalia representing us on the biggest stage of world football," Salad said.

Former Somali diplomat to the US, Abukar Arman, argued that Artan poses no security threat and has no criminal record. "This is just another manifestation of Trump's vengeful politics and obsession, which consistently misrepresents anything related to Somalia," Arman said.

The reason for the denial remains unclear. However, Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, said there was "a valid reason" for the decision without providing details. A US official later stated that a Somali citizen had been denied entry due to alleged links to individuals suspected of ties to "terrorist" organizations. Sports immigration lawyer Chris Carr called the decision unusual, especially given Artan's public profile and the thorough vetting process during his visa application.

Artan, born in Mogadishu, has long been a source of pride for Somali football fans. His rise took place against the backdrop of Somalia's absence from major international tournaments following the state's collapse in 1991. He once said: "I have the desire and the confidence, and with God's help, one day I will officiate the biggest tournaments and raise Somalia's profile on the world stage."

Artan made his major tournament debut at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where his assertive and confident refereeing style drew praise and captivated Somali fans. He was named African Referee of the Year in 2025 and was selected for this year's FIFA World Cup.

The decision to deny Artan sparked widespread criticism from prominent figures in international sports and politics. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright called it "another story of fans, players, officials, journalists being denied… Now a referee? Is this how the host treats people?" Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the UK Labour Party, called it "an absolute disgrace." Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the decision was "counterproductive" and "extremely backward." WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X: "This is not the end of your story on the world stage."