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Ali Abdulla was over the moon when he learned his youth-soccer nonprofit would receive 20 free tickets to the World Cup round of 16 match next month in Seattle. Many of the kids in his African Youth Sports Academy come from low-income, immigrant families, and with ticket prices hovering around $1,000, it was an incredible opportunity for them.
Then the U.S. barred Omar Artan — the first Somali referee set to officiate in the World Cup — from entering the country. Abdulla, himself a former semi-professional soccer player and Somali refugee, wanted to do something in solidarity, and first thought of giving up his position as a volunteer FIFA “ambassador.” But, he said, when he told parents and coaches about his decision, they suggested something even more significant: Give back the tickets.
“They all sent a message saying, ‘We feel heartbroken, we feel betrayed,’” Abdulla told The Associated Press on Friday. “We don’t feel right to go celebrate while the only person in the history of our country (selected to referee the World Cup) is feeling pain and disappointed.”
He added: “I felt so emotional when the parents said that, because to return a one-time opportunity for solidarity with our boy — that made me very proud to lead this organization.”
The free tickets were among 1,400 distributed through a program organized by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and the local FIFA World Cup organizing committee. Abdulla himself attended the announcement of the program and recruited about two dozen kids to be part of the mayor’s social media video promoting it.
He said learning that his nonprofit was receiving the tickets was “the best news I ever had.”
The African Youth Sports Academy, which also offers mentorship and other services, decided to hold a soccer competition to help determine who would receive tickets. The plan was to award the tickets to about a dozen youth, ages 13 to 16, and several of their parents, Abdulla said.
The kids “are very sad, man, very heartbroken,” he said. “We have to teach them to stand up for the right thing.”
Somalia is one of nearly 40 countries whose citizens are banned from coming to the U.S. under the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.
Artan, who was named as Africa’s best male referee in 2025, was questioned for 11 hours and denied entry to the U.S. at Miami International Airport last Saturday, despite having been issued a visa. U.S. officials claimed Artan had connections to terror organizations, without offering proof.
He was sent home to a warm welcome from supporters. On Thursday, European soccer body UEFA named him the referee for its Aug. 12 Super Cup match.
