This Somali Referee Who Traveled To The US For The World Cup But Was Deported Has Returned Home
US officials said Artan was denied entry because of “vetting concerns,” before claimed he had links to “suspected members of terror organizations.”
A Somali referee who was set to make history at the World Cup has been denied entry into the US after the Trump administration claimed he had links to terrorism, despite presenting no public evidence to support the allegation.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was named Africa’s men’s referee of the year in 2025, was supposed to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a men’s World Cup.
But US Customs and Border Protection refused him entry after he landed at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday, June 6.
He was reportedly questioned for about 12 hours before being sent back.
US officials initially said Artan was denied entry because of “vetting concerns,” before the Trump administration claimed he had links to “suspected members of terror organizations.”
The administration provided no public evidence to support the allegation, and Artan has denied any wrongdoing.
Somalia is one of the countries under a full US travel ban, with the White House citing national security concerns, including what it described as a “persistent terrorist threat” from Somali territory.
Before travelling, Artan had posted photos of himself with his packed suitcase on Snapchat and a picture from his flight seat to Miami on TikTok.
FIFA later confirmed Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the tournament.
Artan returned to Mogadishu on Wednesday, June 10, where he was welcomed by cheering crowds and officials.
“What happened was meant to happened, it was fate. I am grateful for the support FIFA gave me,” Artan told reporters.
Somalia’s sports ministry said Artan’s international achievements were “a source of honour and pride for the Somali people.”
“Denying him entry to the US and preventing 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,” he said.
In Canada, British Columbia Premier David Eby said Artan should be allowed to officiate in Vancouver instead, writing on X, “Let’s have him referee in Vancouver.”
His case has drawn outrage, and people have raised concerns about who will actually be able to access the 2026 World Cup.
The Guardian reported that at least 15 Iranian officials and team staff had been denied visas, while Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was held and questioned for almost seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare airport before being allowed in.
More than 120 civil society groups, including Amnesty International USA and the ACLU, have warned that visitors to the US for the World Cup could face denial of entry, device searches, racial profiling, detention or deportation.
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