Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has spoken publicly for the first time since returning to Mogadishu after being removed from the 2026 FIFA World Cup officiating panel following his denial of entry to the United States.
Speaking to reporters shortly after arrival, Artan addressed the outcome of the decision that ended his participation in the tournament, describing it as “wrong.” He also expressed disappointment over the way events unfolded, saying he was “very, very disappointed” after what he had hoped would be a career-defining moment.
The referee said the World Cup appointment represented a lifelong ambition, describing it as a dream he had worked toward over the course of his refereeing career, which was cut short before he could take part in the tournament.
Reports indicate that upon arrival in the United States, Artan was subjected to secondary screening and held for an extended period of around 11 hours before being denied entry and sent back. He was subsequently removed from the list of match officials, as FIFA requires all appointed referees to be physically present in the host country for centralized preparation.
Artan also acknowledged support from football authorities during the process, thanking FIFA for its assistance and referencing the Confederation of African Football in his remarks.
U.S. authorities have not publicly detailed the reasons beyond general references to “vetting concerns,” and no further official explanation has been released by FIFA. The Somali Football Federation has also sought clarification, but the matter remains unresolved publicly.
Despite the setback, Artan said he intends to continue his refereeing career, signaling his determination to move forward even after missing out on what he described as a lifelong World Cup dream.
