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By Lawrence Agbo
Somali referee Omar Artan has vowed to pursue his World Cup dream despite being denied entry into the United States and subsequently removed from the officiating roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking to journalists after his arrival, Artan said the setback would not derail his ambitions.
“I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud,” he said.
“Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” he added.
Artan returned to a warm reception in Mogadishu, where supporters gathered at the city’s main airport to welcome him home following the controversy that prevented him from participating in football’s biggest tournament.
More than 100 well-wishers waved Somali flags and cheered as the award-winning referee arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight, turning what could have been a disappointing homecoming into a celebration of national pride.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism in Somalia, where Artan’s selection for the tournament was seen as a landmark achievement for the country.
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His appointment to the 52-member panel of match officials for the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico had been celebrated as a historic breakthrough.
Mohamed Said, a government official in Mogadishu, condemned the decision to deny Artan entry, describing it as unfair and hurtful to many Somalis who had looked forward to seeing him represent the nation on the global stage.
Artan was stopped after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday and was subsequently refused admission into the United States.
A U.S. State Department official later said the referee had been deemed ineligible for entry because of alleged associations with individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organisations.
Following the decision, FIFA confirmed that Artan would no longer be part of the officiating team for the tournament, which begins on Thursday.
The development marked a disappointing turn for the referee, who was named the Confederation of African Football’s men’s referee of the year in 2025 and had been expected to become the first Somali official to oversee matches at a World Cup.
Earlier this year, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised Artan as an inspiration to young Somalis, highlighting his achievements as evidence of the country’s growing presence in international sports.
Despite missing out on the 2026 tournament, Artan remains focused on the future, insisting that his World Cup journey is far from over and expressing confidence that he will return for the 2030 edition.
