Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States of America.
He was set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup.
Who Is Omar Artan?
Omar Abdulkadir Artan is a Somali football referee, born on 6th June 1992.
Artan was the first referee from Somalia to take charge of a continental final, overseeing Egyptian side Pyramids FC’s 2024–25 CAF Champions League triumph over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in Cairo.
He has also officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He was the sole representative from Sub-Saharan Africa to officiate at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
He had also made history as the first Somali referee selected for a FIFA World Cup tournament.
He was among three centre referees chosen from Africa.
However, he was not allowed to enter the United States and was removed from the tournament.
Why Was Omar Rejected By USA?
The repatriation of Artan was considered by the immigration officials following fears that he could be associated with Alshabab militia group, said Larry Madowo—CNN international correspondent.
Somalia is one of the countries on a travel ban list under President Donald Trump’s administration, reports New York Times
“I am just a referee trying to live my biggest dream: going to the World Cup, I am really, really disappointed. I had the correct documents and the correct visa. I think they have a problem with my country” said Mr Omar in a telephone interview.
He was reportedly questioned for 11hours before being denied entry, then detained for several further hours before being put on a flight back to Instanbul.
