Somali World Cup referee barred by US given hero’s welcome at home (VIDEO)
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was barred from the US, receives a hero’s welcome at home Read Full Article at RT.com
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Omar Artan was due to become his nation’s first to oversee a World Cup match, but was denied entry in Miami despite having a valid visa
Omar Artan, who was set to become the first Somali to referee a FIFA World Cup match but was denied entry by the US, has been honored as a national hero upon his return home.
The 34-year old was detained for some 11 hours by US immigration officials before being sent back to Istanbul, despite having all the necessary paperwork in place and being poised to become the first Somali World Cup referee.
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, has been beset by organizational concerns, including shifting US entry policies.
Last year, US President Donald Trump’s administration imposed a sweeping travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.
Artan touched down at Mogadishu’s airport on Wednesday and was greeted by hundreds of people, including local government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation. Some were waving national flags and carrying banners featuring photos of him.
Referee Mohamed Atan got a hero's welcome back in Somalia
