Somalia World Cup referee gets hero’s welcome after US denied entry – Watch

Referee Omar Artan, center, Somalia (AP Photo) Somali referee Omar Artan received an emotional welcome back in Mogadishu on Wednesday, days after being denied entry to the United States despite being selected to officiate at the World Cup.Artan was on his way to making history as the first referee from Somalia to oversee World Cup matches. The highly regarded official was included in FIFA’s final list of referees for the tournament and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees. His standing in the game was further underlined when he was named the best referee in Africa in 2025.However, his World Cup dream was brought to an abrupt halt when he was refused entry after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday. US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that the decision was made due to “screening concerns”, although no further details were provided. Following the development, FIFA removed Artan from its list of referees for the competition.The decision came despite Artan receiving a valid visa to travel to the United States. According to the Somali embassy in Kenya, which processed the application, the visa was only granted last week.Back in Somalia, Artan was welcomed by government officials, well-wishers and well-wishers at Mogadishu airport. Hundreds gathered to welcome the referee home, waving Somali flags and showing support after the disappointing turn of events.Addressing the crowd, Artan thanked the Somali government, the Somali people and FIFA for standing by him during his ordeal.“I promise you, God willing, I will attend the next one,” he said as hundreds of supporters at the airport waved the Somali flag. “I want the Somali public to be comforted and rest assured.”The decision to deny entry to a FIFA-appointed World Cup referee attracted significant international attention. The unusual move drew criticism in several quarters and raised questions among some supporters about the United States’ ability to host a global sporting event of this magnitude.The incident also took place against a backdrop of stricter US immigration policies. Somalia is among nearly 40 countries currently affected by new travel restrictions imposed as part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on immigration.