Dozens of people, including fans, journalists and authorities, welcomed the referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, on June 10, 2026, at the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, who was to become the first Somali to referee a match in the history of the World Cup, according to images broadcast by local media.
Dressed in a black FIFA tracksuit, the referee received bouquets of flowers and a large national flag which he ended up placing on his shoulders.
“I am not upset because they sent me back from the United States. I will continue to work hard and will not be discouraged,” Artan said in statements broadcast by Somali public television.
“I promise you that in the next World Cup I will go much further and make history,” he said.
The referee also thanked the expressions of support received in recent days after learning of the decision of the US immigration authorities.
The Somali Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, stressed that Artan “has raised the name of the Somali people” and affirmed that the setback suffered “will not stop him” in his professional career.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, also expressed his support for the referee and expressed his desire for him to become “the best referee in the world.”
The case provoked a strong reaction in Somalia after US authorities prevented Artan from entering the country on June 6, after landing in Miami from Istanbul.
A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the referee was deemed “inadmissible” due to problems detected during the background check process.
The Somali government described the incident as “regrettable” on Tuesday and announced diplomatic efforts to request explanations from Washington and FIFA.
Artan, elected male referee of the year for 2025 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was set to become the first Somali to referee a World Cup match.
The World Cup begins this Thursday and will be held until July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.