Mogadishu, Award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has vowed to return stronger and officiate at the 2030 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, a development that abruptly ended his historic participation in the 2026 tournament.
Artan received a hero’s welcome on his return to Mogadishu, where more than 100 supporters gathered at Aden Adde International Airport waving Somali flags and cheering the referee who had been set to become the first Somali official to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.
Undeterred by the setback, Artan declared that his World Cup dream remains alive. 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 told journalists shortly after arriving in the Somali capital.
The rejection has sparked widespread outrage across Somalia, where Artan’s appointment to the 52-member list of referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico had been celebrated as a landmark achievement.
Government officials, football fans and sports administrators described the decision as a painful blow not only to Artan but to Somalia’s growing presence on the international sporting stage.
Mohamed Said, a senior official in Mogadishu, condemned the developmentThey wronged him in a way that hurts everybody that is concerned about humanity,” he said while welcoming the referee at the airport.
Artan was turned back upon arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday, days before the start of the World Cup.
According to a US State Department official quoted by AFP, the Somali referee was denied entry because he was allegedly associated with suspected members of terrorist organizationrendering him ineligible for admission into the country.
Following the decision, FIFA confirmed that Artan would no longer be part of the officiating team for the tournament, which kicks off on Thursday.
Artan’s exclusion has been particularly painful for Somalis because the referee had become a symbol of hope and national pride.
In 2025, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) named him Men’s Referee of the Year, cementing his reputation as one of Africa’s finest match officials.
Earlier this year, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described Artan as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis, praising his achievements and dedication to the sport.
Although the setback has ended his hopes of making history at the 2026 World Cup, Artan insists it is only a temporary delay.
His determination to return for the 2030 tournament has resonated with supporters across Somalia, who believe the respected referee will once again earn his place on football’s biggest stage.
For now, the 2025 CAF Referee of the Year says he remains focused on continuing his career and representing Somalia with pride, convinced that his World Cup journey is far from over.
