Omar Artan receives emotional homecoming in Mogadishu after World Cup exclusion, vowing to return stronger following US visa denial

Somali international referee Omar Artan, a Confederation of African Football Men’s Referee of the Year 2025, received a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday after being denied entry into the United States for the FIFA World Cup, an incident that led to his exclusion from the tournament.

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Omar Artan World Cup exclusion has sparked widespread reaction both within Somalia and across the global football community, after what had been seen as a landmark appointment to the 52-member list of tournament officials was abruptly overturned.

More than 100 supporters gathered at Mogadishu’s main airport, waving Somali flags and cheering as Artan arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight.

The emotional reception reflected national pride and disappointment following his removal from the officiating team.

Speaking shortly after his arrival, Artan struck a determined tone, insisting that the setback would not define his career.

“I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud. Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” he said.

His exclusion has triggered strong reactions in Somalia, where his selection for the World Cup had been celebrated as a historic achievement for the country’s football community.

Mohamed said, a Mogadishu government official who was present at the airport, described the decision as deeply painful, saying it had affected not only Artan but also those who view sport as a symbol of unity and progress.

“They wronged him in a way that hurts everybody who is concerned about humanity,” he said.

Artan was stopped from entering the United States on Saturday after arriving at Miami International Airport.

US State Department official later stated that he was considered “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations”, a claim that rendered him ineligible for admission.

FIFA subsequently confirmed that Artan would no longer be part of the World Cup officiating team as the tournament begins across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The decision has overshadowed what was initially a moment of national pride in Somalia, where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had earlier described Artan as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis”.

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Despite the disappointment, supporters in Mogadishu expressed solidarity with the referee, turning his return into a powerful public show of support and resilience.