News Focus
- Omar Artan lands in Mogadishu after US immigration officials deny him entry for the 2026 World Cup
- The 34-year-old was named Africa’s best referee in 2025 and was set to make history for Somalia
- Artan promises to reach the 2030 World Cup despite the deportation setback
- He urges Somali youth to remain proud of their nation following the incident
Omar Artan has returned to Somalia with a strong promise. The top referee says he will work at the 2030 World Cup after US officials stopped him from entering the country for this year’s tournament.
The 34-year-old arrived at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Wednesday. Government ministers, football officials and hundreds of fans greeted him. Artan was set to become the first Somali to control a World Cup match. However, immigration officers at Miami International Airport sent him back on Monday.
Artan held a diplomatic passport and a valid US visa. Still, border police refused him entry. Somalia is one of twelve nations on a travel ban list that President Donald Trump created in June 2025. The US government has not given a clear reason for the decision.
Speaking at the airport, Artan thanked his supporters. “Everything is pre-destined. I promise I will be officiating at the next World Cup,” he said. “Let us all defend Somalia’s honour. That flag is ours.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) named Artan as the best male referee in Africa for 2025. FIFA had chosen him as one of 52 officials for the 2026 tournament. All referees must stay in Florida for training and security reasons. This rule meant Artan could not work at matches in Canada or Mexico while staying outside the United States.
Artan told the New York Times that officers questioned him for eleven hours. They kept him in a room for several hours before flying him to Istanbul, Turkey.
Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House World Cup Task Force, defended the decision. He said border police acted correctly but did not explain why.
President Trump made negative comments about Somalia in December 2025. He called the country “barely a nation” and told Somali immigrants to “go back where they came from.”
Despite the deportation, crowds at Mogadishu Airport treated Artan like a hero. People wore hats with his picture. The referee will attend a public event at Mogadishu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. He plans to watch a match between Heegan and Dekadaha there.