Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu and promised to officiate in the next tournament in 2030.
More than 100 supporters gathered outside the VIP section of Mogadishu’s main airport, waving national flags as Artan stepped off a Turkish Airlines flight to shouts.
“I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud… Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” Artan told journalists.
Artan, who was selected men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2025, was denied entry into the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday.
A US State Department official told AFP late Tuesday that the referee was “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” which made the tourist unsuitable for admission to the US.
FIFA also stated that he would no longer be part of the World Cup, which begins on Thursday.
Artan’s inclusion in the 52-person referee roster for the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States was a source of great pride for his compatriots.
Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, described him as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis” in April.
