MOGADISHU, Somalia – Only a few days had passed between the celebration that marked the news of Somali referee Omar Altan’s World Cup appearance – a milestone that sparked pride and optimism among Somali soccer fans – and the despairing realization that he would not actually be participating due to U.S. immigration restrictions.
That possibility worried many from the beginning. Donald Trump had previously threatened to ban Iran from the tournament before FIFA intervened, and New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani (whose father Mahmoud recently revealed he once came close to obtaining Somali citizenship) warned that a surge in ICE activity in the city risks undermining the spirit of the tournament.
Recommended stories
list of two itemsend of list
President Trump more specifically targeted both Somalia and the Somali-American community with incendiary rhetoric and imposed a travel ban on Somalia. Until Artan trained in the United States with his fellow referees, there was always a risk that something would go wrong.
If all goes well, Artan, Africa’s top referee, posted from a hotel in Istanbul where he was transiting, saying he was “leaving for Miami” a few days ago. He would have been the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup, and one of seven from Africa.
However, Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport and flown to Istanbul, even though he was traveling on a valid visa and the State Department’s own rules exempt participants of major sporting events from the travel ban. Instead, border officials deemed him inadmissible, citing unspecified “scrutiny concerns.”
Artan received a hero’s welcome when he arrived at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport on Wednesday. They were greeted by government officials on the runway and jubilant supporters outside the airport.
Artan spoke defiantly to the crowd, thanking the Somali people and government for their support.
“Somalia belongs to all of us. In good times and in difficult times, I want to tell young people not to lose hope in this country,” he said.
Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said on Tuesday it “deeply regrets” the decision, adding that the government had made “extensive diplomatic efforts” and held negotiations with U.S. authorities without success.
FIFA said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of U.S. immigration authorities and is beyond its control. However, Somali officials told Al Jazeera that they believed FIFA was ultimately responsible for the situation.
Mohamed Sarada, a Somali sports journalist, said the result was a huge blow to the country.
“When Omar was selected, Somalis celebrated as if the national team had qualified for the World Cup,” Sarada told Al Jazeera. “For the first time, a Somali player born and raised in Somalia would represent us on the biggest stage of world football.”
Abukar Arman, a former U.S. diplomat in Somalia, told Al Jazeera that Artan poses no security threat and has no criminal record.
“This is another manifestation of President Trump’s vindictive and compulsive politics, which routinely demonizes everything related to Somalia,” Alman said.
The reason for Mr. Artan’s refusal to enter the country remains unclear. But Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup task force, said in a panel discussion hosted by the Atlantic Council think tank that there were “good reasons” for the decision, without providing further details.
U.S. officials later announced that the Somali national had been denied entry due to ties to individuals suspected of involvement in a “terrorist” organization.
Sports immigration lawyer Chris Carr told Al Jazeera that while U.S. authorities may have had reason to deny Artan entry, the decision was unusual given his high profile and the extensive vetting required to obtain a visa.
“This is a very surprising decision given his accomplishments and profession,” Kerr said.
symbol of inspiration
Mogadishu-born Altan has long been a source of pride for Somali football fans. His rise came against a backdrop of decades of Somali national teams and athletes with little participation in major international competitions after the collapse of the Somali state in 1991.
In a 2018 interview with local media while refereeing the Somalia National League, the country’s top soccer competition, Artan spoke of his ambition to referee at the highest level and showcase Somalia on the world stage.
“I have the drive and confidence and, with the help of Allah, I hope to one day host the biggest tournament and elevate Somalia on the world stage,” he said.
He also gave a message of perseverance, saying, “Whatever you set your mind to, if you work hard and give it your all, you can achieve it.”
Artan previously told Al Jazeera that he shifted his ambitions as a player to refereeing after suffering an injury early in his career. He also recalled the fragile security situation in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu. Fatal attacks were frequent there, forcing him to change his route to officiating the match, but he was not deterred.
The Somali government has been fighting the local al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabab since 2006. The organization frequently carries out attacks across the country.
Artan made his debut in a major competition at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, winning praise for his aggressive officiating style and confident composure and, more importantly, exciting Somali fans who had long been eager to see their country represented on football’s biggest stage.
East African newspaper The Eastleigh Voice said his presence at AFCON was a “landmark moment for Somali football” when he became the first Somali referee to take part in the competition.
His first AFCON match as a referee was Namibia versus Tunisia, which sports journalist Sarada said was a match that “thousands of Somalis wanted to see how he would handle the pressure”.
Artan was named Africa’s Best Referee of the Year in 2025 and was selected to represent the FIFA World Cup earlier this year. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised him, saying he had “become a symbol of inspiration for a new generation of Somalis.”
Artan previously said in an interview with Al Jazeera that he was excited to participate in the World Cup. “For me, it’s an honor to be the first Somali to go there. I hope to do well there,” he said. “Every time I play, I have to be perfect. If I make a mistake, all my achievements are meaningless,” he said.
Jamal Shiir, former director of Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, told Al Jazeera that Artan had become a “celebrity” and an inspiration to young people across the country.
“He rose to the top in Somalia, then all over Africa, and then he achieved his dream of playing in the World Cup,” Shile said. “He was setting an example for Somali youth and people across Africa.”
Mr Shiir said turning him away sent the wrong message to aspiring young Somalis. “Some may think I’m doing my best and doing everything, but at the end of the day, one thing like this can ruin everything,” he told Al Jazeera.
Expression of support
Mr. Artan has received enthusiastic support in Somalia and abroad since he was denied entry to the United States.
Several prominent figures in Somalia’s opposition, including former President Farmaajo and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, publicly supported Altan. Djibouti’s Finance Minister Ilyas Moussa Dawareh also expressed support, writing of X: “We are all Omar Abdulkadir Altan.”
This controversy has caused strong reactions among soccer fans. At a recent match between local teams in Somalia, supporters held up pictures of Artan to protest his exclusion from the World Cup.
The decision has also drawn criticism from prominent figures in international sports and politics. Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright has lamented the increasing impact on the tournament due to travel restrictions.
“Every few hours, it’s a different story,” Wright said in a video message. “Once again we hear about fans being denied, players being denied, officials being denied, journalists being denied. Now the referee? Is this the attitude of the organizers?”
Former UK Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn described the decision as an “utter disgrace”.
“A FIFA official referee was denied entry to the US simply because he was Somali,” Corbin wrote on X.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the decision was “counterproductive” and “very backwards”.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a post about
“Your story on the world stage does not end here,” he added.
