World Jun 10, 2026 · 1 min read

Omar Artan given hero’s welcome in Somalia after referee’s US entry blocked

Artan deemed a threat to national security by US officials‘I promise you that I will attend the next one’The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the US arrived on Wednesday in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials.Omar Artan was...

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The Guardian
by Agencies
Omar Artan given hero’s welcome in Somalia after referee’s US entry blocked
  • Artan deemed a threat to national security by US officials

  • ‘I promise you that I will attend the next one’

The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the US arrived on Wednesday in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials.

Omar Artan was due to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making Fifa’s final list for the tournament. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.

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This article was originally published by The Guardian and written by Agencies.

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