US Claim: 'That referee has ties to a terrorist organization'
Omar Artan. Photo: Collected.
On the eve of the World Cup kickoff, a major political and diplomatic controversy has erupted off the field surrounding Somali referee Omar Artan. The 34-year-old Omar Artan made history by becoming the first Somali referee selected to officiate matches in the World Cup. However, he was denied entry into the United States. BBC Sports reports that this referee is allegedly accused of having 'suspicious communication with a terrorist organization'.
Omar Artan was named Africa's Referee of the Year. Officiating at the World Cup was his dream. But US immigration authorities sent him back from Miami International Airport. Prior to that, he was subjected to nearly 11 hours of marathon interrogation and detained for several hours. Despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single-entry US visa, he could not enter the United States. He was subsequently put on a flight to Istanbul. He returned to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Wednesday.
Citing a source within the Trump administration, BBC Sports reported that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) obtained some incriminating information against the referee during immigration processing, including evidence of communication with suspected members of a terrorist organization. Consequently, he was deemed inadmissible to the United States under immigration laws. The Trump administration's clear message is: 'The Trump administration will not allow anyone who could pose a threat to national security to enter the United States - period.'
Meanwhile, a New York Times report stated that US immigration officials questioned Artan about his alleged involvement with the Somali armed militant group 'Al-Shabaab'. However, Artan told officials that he knew nothing about this group. Although there was an opportunity for Artan to officiate matches in Canada or Mexico due to the joint hosting arrangement, it was not possible for him because the base camp and training center for all on-field referees is located in Florida, USA. According to FIFA rules, everyone must stay in the same camp for security and logistical preparation.
(Omar Artan was given a hero's welcome at Aden Ade International Airport in Mogadishu.)
After his World Cup dream was unfairly shattered, Artan was given a heroic reception upon arriving at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu. Government ministers, members of parliament, Somali Football Federation officials, and local citizens welcomed him. Later, he met with the country's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, at the presidential palace. Speaking to journalists at the airport, Artan said, 'Everything is predetermined. FIFA has supported me immensely and stayed in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu. I promise that I will officiate matches in the 2030 World Cup. Young people should not lose heart over this incident. I will continue to fight for the honor of my country.'
In June 2025, President Donald Trump imposed a full travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Somalia. Earlier, in December 2025, just two days before the World Cup draw ceremony, Trump made several controversial comments about Somalia. At a rally in Minnesota, he said, 'Somalia doesn't even qualify as a country; they have nothing. They just go around killing each other. We don't need to bring this kind of trash into our country.'
