Omar Artan vows to be at 2030 World Cup after US refusal | OneFootball

Somali referee Omar Artan has landed in Mogadishu after being refused entry to the United States, where he was due to officiate at the 2026 World Cup from 11 June to 19 July. He vowed to be on the pitch at the 2030 edition.

He was greeted by around a hundred people at the airport on Wednesday, two days after being turned back because of his nationality. According to L'Équipe, Artan, named Africa’s best referee in 2025, set his sights on returning on the biggest stage.

Despite the setback, he said he was not discouraged and spoke of defending Somalia’s honour in good times and bad. He stressed pride in the country and its flag.

On arrival in the United States he said he had the right papers, yet was questioned for 11 hours by authorities. He was then placed in a cell before being expelled.

US authorities later said there were very good reasons for the refusal. A state official was said to have referenced an association with alleged members of terrorist organisations.

The episode comes amid visa restrictions and entry bans affecting 19 countries, including Somalia. In recent months Donald Trump has used racist language about Somalis, calling them trash and saying Somalia could be considered the world’s worst country if it were a country, adding he did not believe it was one.

Source: L'Équipe