MOGADISHU – Web Desk: Somali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, named last year as the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year, has returned home after being denied entry into the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to reports.
US immigration officials did not provide an official reason for his denial, though Somalia is among the countries included in the Trump administration’s travel restrictions list. Artan was consequently excluded from the tournament’s officials panel.
Upon his arrival in Somalia, Artan was given a grand welcome by senior government officials and the public, who expressed their admiration and respect. Artan thanked the Somali people, saying, “Somalia belongs to all of us — whether times are good or bad. I want to tell the youth: do not lose hope in your country.”
