A heroic welcome in Mogadishu after the American humiliation

Voted the best referee on the African continent and selected for the 2026 World Cup, Somali referee Omar Artan experienced a true nightmare. Denied entry to the United States on the eve of the tournament's kickoff, the 30-year-old claimed he was interrogated for nearly 11 hours before being deported to Istanbul.

Upon his return to Mogadishu on Wednesday, June 10, the pariah of the United States was welcomed as a national hero. Facing a huge crowd and under military protection, the referee was carried in triumph to the capital's stadium before being received by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud.

"I'm just a referee trying to live my dream, the biggest dream of my life. I had the right documents, I had everything, I had the right visa," a dejected Omar Artan told the New York Times .

A wave of international support

The incomprehension surrounding this expulsion has spread beyond the borders of the Horn of Africa:

1. In Somalia: The Ministry of Sports defended the referee's integrity. Political figures, such as opposition leader Hassan Ali Khaire, denounced the injustice of targeting a professional solely because of his nationality.
2. In Canada: David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, offered on social media to warmly welcome Omar Artan to officiate in Vancouver. This is a technically impossible option, as FIFA has its entire refereeing body based in Miami.
3. At the UN: The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, publicly called on the United States to rethink migration policies that undermine human dignity, particularly in the context of a global festive event.

The World Cup of Discord: Visa Refusals and a Series of Restrictions

The case of Omar Artan is just the tip of the iceberg of a systemic problem that is marring the start of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Washington's strict security policy is creating a series of problems:

People concerned	Observed situation
International supporters	Numerous last-minute visa cancellations without explanation, after the purchase of very expensive tickets and flights.
Iranian delegation	A private escort for entry visas.
Iraqi selection	Star striker Aymen Hussein held for 7 hours at Chicago airport; official photographer turned away despite valid visa.
Swiss selection	Striker Breel Embolo, initially blocked due to a criminal record, finally got the green light at the last minute.

Geopolitics and suspicions of terrorism

To understand this repression, we must look at the American political context. At the end of 2025, President Donald Trump hardened his stance against Somalia, threatening to suspend the special status of Somali nationals.

To justify the expulsion of the referee, an official from the US State Department finally told AFP that Omar Artan was "linked to people suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations," an accusation making his access to US territory legally impossible, despite his valid sports accreditations.