World Cup referee Omar Artan welcomed as a hero in Somalia after US entry denial

Two days after being denied entry to the United States and losing his World Cup dream, Somali referee Omar Artan was received as a hero today in Mogadishu. Hundreds of fans, officials and representatives of the local football community came to the airport in the Somali capital, waved flags and embraced the man who was supposed to make history for the country.

Artan, who was named 2025 African Men’s Referee of the Year, was set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup. He was included on FIFA’s final list of referees for the tournament, but was delayed at Miami airport over the weekend, questioned for hours, held in a detention cell and sent back to Turkey. In the United States, it was said that Artan was denied entry due to “concerns raised during screening checks.” An unnamed US administration official said that during his inspection, information was allegedly found about “links to individuals suspected of being members of terrorist organizations,” and that he was classified as a national security threat. Artan, for his part, said he arrived with a valid visa and all required documents. Upon landing in Mogadishu, the 33-year-old referee criticized the decision to bar him from the United States, but tried to send a unifying message. “What happened happened, and it was unfortunate,” he said. “I thank FIFA for the support it gave me.” He then turned to his supporters and urged them not to lose faith in the country. “Somalia is ours, for better or worse. I want to tell our young people not to lose hope in our country. I am now in my country, and there is no other place I would rather be.” Artan added emotionally before hundreds of supporters, “I promise you, God willing, I will reach the next World Cup. I want the Somali public to take comfort in that and remain confident.”

According to reports in the United States, Artan was questioned for about 11 hours at Miami airport. During the interrogation, he was asked why he had come to the US, was questioned about Somali politics and the al-Shabaab organization, and tried to present FIFA documents and photos from his refereeing career. He was then, according to him, placed in a detention cell and put on a flight back to Istanbul, from where he flew on to the United States. “I think they have a problem with my country,” he told The New York Times. According to him, the exact reason for the entry refusal was not explained to him. FIFA said Artan would no longer be able to join the referees’ preparations or officiate at matches in the tournament, which is set to begin on Thursday. The organization stressed that it is not involved in immigration procedures and that it had been informed by the US authorities that the referee’s status would not change at this stage.

The Somali government said it had tried, unsuccessfully, to hold talks with the United States and FIFA to allow Artan’s entry, and expressed regret over the development. Upon his arrival at Mogadishu airport, he was escorted by police to the VIP lounge, where Somalia’s minister of sports and youth, senior officials from the local football association and other dignitaries welcomed him.

Artan’s case is also causing an uproar because it comes against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policy. Somalia is one of the countries included on the administration’s travel restrictions list, and the incident has heightened concern that fans, players and officials from other countries could face similar difficulties during the World Cup, even if they hold valid entry visas.