FIFA World Cup 2026: Somali referee denied entry to the U.S. arrives home to hero’s welcome

World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States was acquired by a crowd of supporters and officers on Wednesday (June 10, 2026) as he arrived in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu, the place he stated he plans to be on the subsequent World Cup and urged Somali youths to be happy with their nation.

Additionally learn | FIFA 2026 | A World Cup like no other

Omar Artan was set to be the primary referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s closing checklist for the event. He’s one among Africa’s high referees and was named the continent’s greatest male referee in 2025.

He was denied entry at Miami Worldwide Airport on Saturday (June 6, 2026) over “vetting issues,” U.S. Customs and Border Safety stated in a press release with out giving particulars of these issues. FIFA subsequently minimize him from the event’s referee checklist.

Artan was issued a visa to journey to the U.S. final week, in line with the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it. U.S. is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada, and Artan was as a result of meet up with different FIFA World Cup 2026 referees at their coaching base in Miami.

He returned to a hero’s welcome on the airport in Mogadishu, the place he thanked the Somali authorities and other people in addition to FIFA for his or her help for him.

“I promise you, God prepared, that I’ll attend the following one,” he stated as tons of of supporters on the airport waved the Somali flag. “I would like the Somali public to take consolation on this and stay assured.”

The U.S.’s extremely uncommon transfer to disclaim a FIFA-appointed match official permission to enter a World Cup host nation drew outrage the world over and raised questions amongst some followers about America’s capability to host the competitors.

Somalia is one among almost 40 international locations topic to new journey restrictions underneath the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.

A whole lot of supporters, authorities officers and members of Somalia’s soccer group gathered hours earlier than Artan arrived at Aden Adde Worldwide Airport at about 8:30 a.m. native time.

As Artan disembarked, supporters waving Somali flags crowded round him earlier than draping him within the flag.

He was then escorted by law enforcement officials to the airport’s VIP terminal, the place he was welcomed by Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports activities, officers from the Somalia Soccer Federation and different dignitaries and spoke to press.

“It’s as much as all of us to defend the Somali identify,” Artan stated. “Somalia belongs to us, whether or not it’s in a nasty state or a superb state. That flag belongs to us, and that passport belongs to us.”

In a rustic the place many years of struggle and the rise of the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group have restricted the potential of many, Artan’s denial introduced disappointment to many however reminded some within the nation about what is feasible in the event that they chase their desires.

Artan’s anticipated milestone at this 12 months’s World Cup “stands it doesn’t matter what,” the World Well being Group Director-Normal Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote Tuesday (June 9, 2026) on X. “You reached the summit of your career and impressed a era again dwelling simply by getting there, and being saved off the pitch you earned doesn’t change that,” he added.