Artan, who was expected to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, was removed from the list of match officials on Monday after he was denied entry at Miami International Airport.
No official explanation was given for the decision to bar him from entering the United States. However, Somalia is among several countries included in travel restrictions introduced by the Trump administration, under which citizens from those nations are prohibited from entering the U.S.
FIFA stated that it had held discussions with U.S. authorities but acknowledged that the decision could not be reversed. The world football governing body emphasized that it does not interfere in the visa policies of host countries, confirming that Artan would therefore not officiate at the tournament.
After being denied entry, Artan was placed on a flight to Turkey. He arrived in Mogadishu on Wednesday morning, where he was welcomed by large crowds at the airport, with many Somalis gathering to greet and show support for him.
On Tuesday evening, Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo revealed that he had spoken with Omar Artan by telephone, assuring him that the nation stood with him during this difficult period. The president also described Artan as “a symbol of Somalia.”
Omar Artan was named CAF Referee of the Year for 2025 and was among the seven African referees selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
