Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, who was poised to become his country’s first official at the World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States, a Somali sports ministry official told AFP on Monday.
The reasons for Artan’s refusal at Miami International Airport remain unclear. However, Somalia is among several countries affected by a travel ban implemented under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Omar Artan is one of Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the full support of the international football community said Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and former national team captain, speaking to AFP. Abshir added that Artan held a valid US visa and has since returned to Istanbul, where he had been staying.
Denying him entry to the United States and barring him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally, but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play, Abshir said.
Artan was among 52 referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the June-July World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018, he has officiated in the Somali national football league championships, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Algeria, and was named the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
In April, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud lauded Artan for making history as the first Somali chosen to officiate at the World Cup finals.
I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar, who has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis, Mohamud said.
