Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan

June 12, 2026 11:15 AM

Denied World Cup entry, Somali referee Artan to officiate UEFA Super Cup

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who is unable to take part in the World Cup after being denied entry to the United States, has been appointed to officiate next month's UEFA Super Cup between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa. Artan, 34, was named among match officials for the June 11-July 19 World Cup but was forced to miss the tournament after U.S. authorities refused him entry despite having a valid visa. European soccer's governing body said on Thursday that his appointment for the Sup...

June 11, 2026 9:42 AM

Somali soccer referee who was denied US entry comes home to hero’s welcome

Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan returned home to a hero's welcome on Wednesday after being barred from entering the U.S. for the World Cup, describing the decision as a matter of "fate" and urging his fellow Somalis not to lose heart over it. Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, had been set to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer's global showpiece, but was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the weekend. The Trump administration said on Tuesda...

June 10, 2026 11:09 AM

US denies Somali World Cup soccer referee entry because of ‘security threat’

The Trump administration said on Tuesday the United States had denied Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to "suspected members of terror organizations". The administration's strict immigration policies have been a point of concern ahead of the World Cup, with Washington imposing a sweeping travel ban last year on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia. Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, had been set to become the first Somali...