Banned World Cup referee Omar Artan arrives home in Somalia

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Banned referee Artan arrives home in Somalia Figure caption, Referee Omar Artan arrives back in Somalia following US visa rejectionByElizabeth BotcherbyBBC Sport journalistPublished24 minutes agoReferee Omar Artan has vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup after arriving home in Somalia following his ban from entering the United States. The 34-year-old - Africa's referee of the year in 2025 - was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa. No reason for his repatriation has been given by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.

He arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday, landing at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu where he was greeted by government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation, as well as fellow referees and local residents. Artan is expected to attend a public event at Mogadishu Stadium later on Wednesday afternoon and watch a match between Heegan and Dekadaha. "I'd like to thank the officials, ministers, MPs and everyone.

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I want to thank my country and people for their support. The encouragement I received here, I know I'll get more support outside ," Artan said, translated into English by the . "Everything is pre-destined.

Fifa supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu. "I promise you that I'll be officiating you in the next World Cup. Somalia, everywhere, I'm letting you know.

"Does referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup? Published16 hours agoI have right papers and visa - barred referee Artan Published20 hours agoImage source, ReutersImage caption, Omar Irfan was dropped from the list of World Cup officials on Monday after being denied entry to the United StatesArtan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (Caf) men's referee of the year in 2025, was one of 52 referees selected for the tournament. However, his "dream" came crashing down as he attempted to travel to the on-pitch officials' base in Florida, with Artan telling the New York Times, external he had faced an 11-hour immigration interview and was detained for several hours before put on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking to World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: "While I can't go into the derog on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision. "It was not possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and referee matches played in Canada or Mexico, with all on-pitch officials based in Florida for training, preparation, and security. Trump placed a full entry ban under any visa category for 12 countries, including Somalia, in June 2025.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.