According to the Jam Jam Online report, quoted by Al Bayan Arabic media, after entering the Miami airport last Monday, Omar Artan faced obstruction from the American authorities and was finally removed from the list of referees of the World Cup. An incident that had a wide reflection in the international media.
According to reports, one of the officials of the American government stated the reason for this decision is the existence of alleged connections with people suspected of being members of terrorist groups. However, Omar Artan has denied these claims and emphasized that he went to America with the sole purpose of judging the biggest football event in the world.
This 34-year-old referee said in response to this decision: “I had all the legal documents and a valid visa.” “I am just a referee who wanted to referee the World Cup.”
After being returned to Türkiye, Artan was supported by FIFA officials in Istanbul and then returned to Somalia; where he was widely welcomed.
Omar Artan is considered one of the prominent figures of refereeing in the African continent and won the title of the best male referee in Africa in 2025. He is also the first Somali referee to officiate a continental final and whistled the second leg of the African Champions League final between Egypt’s Pyramids and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
He has also participated in the Under-20 World Cup and has worked as a referee in two African Nations Cups.
