Mogadishu, Somalia — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was set to become the first Somali official to referee at the FIFA World Cup 2026, described his denial of entry into the United States as “fate” after returning home on Wednesday.
Artan arrived in Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday but was barred from entering the country by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) following inspection. He was deemed “inadmissible due to vetting concerns,” according to U.S. authorities. FIFA subsequently confirmed that he would be unable to train or officiate at the tournament.
Speaking to reporters in Mogadishu, Artan expressed gratitude for the support from FIFA and urged Somalis not to lose heart. “What happened has happened and it was fate. I am grateful for the support FIFA gave me,” he said.
Artan, named the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year, had been a source of national pride in Somalia. His exclusion has sparked disappointment and criticism among fans and officials, with some questioning the decision despite his valid visa and prior vetting.
In earlier statements, Artan maintained a positive outlook, thanking FIFA and CAF while focusing on future opportunities in his refereeing career.
