Just days after being barred from entry to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup, the United States has broken its silence, Yankee Scores reports.
According to a U.S. official, Somalia’s football match official Omar Artan was barred from entering the United States for being “associated with suspected members of terrorist groups.”
Omar, who was 34 years old and the best referee in Africa for 2025, had hoped to be the first Somali official to officiate in the World Cup finals. But he was refused entry into the country at Miami International Airport even though he held a diplomatic passport and a one-time entry visa to the U.S.
Somalia is one of twelve thirteen countries that were banned from traveling to America by President Donald Trump.
A Trump administration source said: “This individual was seeking admission to the United States. Upon further inspection by CBP [Custom and Border Protection], derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
“The traveller was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA.
“President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country – full stop.”
Artan Debunks Terror Links
BBC Sport sought comments from Artan. The man recently addressed the New York Times, saying that he was interrogated by border officials regarding his ties to the Somali militant outfit Al Shabab and he informed the officials that he did not know anything about it.
The man arrived at the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, where he met government officials, officials of the Somali Football Federation, other referees, and locals. Thereafter, he met the president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Presidential Palace.
The referee is expected to participate in a public event scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at Mogadishu Stadium, where a game is going to be played between teams named Heegan and Dekadaha.
At the Aden Adde International Airport, Artan gave a quick comment to reporters and explained how determined he is to officiate the 2030 World Cup.
I’d like to thank the officials, ministers, MPs and everyone. I want to thank my country and people for their support. The encouragement I received here, I know I’ll get more support outside [the airport],” Artan said in words which have been translated into English by the BBC.
“Everything is pre-destined. Fifa supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu.
“I promise you that I’ll be officiating you in the next World Cup. Somalia, everywhere, I’m letting you know.”
