Somalia referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied the chance to make his World Cup debut after being barred from entering the United States, thanked FIFA, CAF and the Somali people on Tuesday as he prepared to return home.
Artan was expected to become the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match, but a FIFA spokesman said he would not be able to train or perform at the tournament after being banned from entering the United States this weekend.
Speak with Reuters at Istanbul airport before boarding a flight to Somalia, Artan said he was in a good mood.
«I feel very good now. And I wanted to thank FIFA for the support they gave me all the time, and also the Somali people. So I am also very grateful to FIFA and CAF. So this is what I have to say,» Artan said.
The Somali government said it had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with the US and FIFA to allow Artan to enter the country, and was saddened by what had happened.
“His international achievements are a source of honor and pride for the Somali people,” the Somali Sports Ministry said in a statement.
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The Somali Football Federation said it had received no official explanation as to why Artan was denied entry and was working with FIFA and relevant authorities to understand the circumstances.
A FIFA spokesperson said the organization «is not involved in immigration processes in the host country, including visa decisions, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at this time.»
Artan would also not be able to referee matches in Mexico and Canada.
FIFA head of match officials, Pierluigi Collina, has set up a training center in Miami for the 140 referees and assistant referees taking part in the event.
These officers are required to remain at the training base for logistical and security reasons; therefore, it would not be possible for Artan to referee matches in Canada and Mexico without setting foot in the US
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, without naming him, said a Somali national who arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday was deemed inadmissible due to screening issues.
The agency did not provide further details but said the referee underwent routine additional inspections before being denied entry. The Trump administration last year imposed a travel ban on citizens of twelve countries, including Somalia.
Artan, named CAF’s top male referee for 2025, had a valid visa, according to media reports.
Published on June 10, 2026
