Omar Artan, turned back by USA for World Cup, given hero’s welcome in Somalia

In partnership with

OffsAIde

·11 June 2026

Omar Artan, turned back by USA for World Cup, given hero’s welcome in Somalia

Somali referee Omar Artan, refused entry by US border police on arrival for the World Cup, was greeted as a hero on his return to Somalia on Wednesday.

According to L'Équipe, he was applauded as he stepped off a flight from Istanbul to Mogadishu, then cheered inside a Mogadishu stadium during a Somali league match.

OneFootball Videos

Artan had been due to officiate at the World Cup, scheduled from 11 June to 19 July, but was turned back at Miami International Airport on Saturday after 11 hours of questioning.

On arriving in the United States, he was deemed close to alleged members of terrorist organisations.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, speaking at a news conference in Mexico on Wednesday, said the situation was unfortunate and that not everything could be controlled.

Source: L'Équipe