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Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States despite being named on FIFA’s final list for the 2026 World Cup, has returned to Mogadishu, where he got a hero’s welcome from a crowd of supporters and officials.
Artan, who would have become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup, arrived in the Somali capital on Wednesday.
Upon his return, he described the situation as “unfortunate” and expressed gratitude to FIFA for its support.
“What happened has happened, and it was unfortunate. I am grateful for the support FIFA gave me,” he said.
“I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country. Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad.”
He added that he remains optimistic about future opportunities.
“I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” he said, as supporters at the airport waved the Somali flag.
Artan urged the Somali public to remain confident and united, saying he was happy to be back home.
According to The Guardian UK, without naming him, the US Customs and Border Protection said a Somali national arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns.
A US administration official later said the individual was considered a potential national security risk.
The Somali Football Federation had confirmed that Artan was issued a visa to travel to the US last week through the Somali embassy in Kenya.
The Trump administration had alleged that he had links to suspected members of terrorist organisations, a claim not independently verified at the time of reporting.
