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Omar Artan given hero’s welcome in Somalia after referee’s US entry blocked

The Guardian World Wednesday 10 June 2026, 08:11 UTC By Agencies 1 min read
Key Points

Artan deemed a threat to national security by US officials‘I promise you that I will attend the next one’The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the US arrived on Wednesday in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials. Omar Artan was due to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making Fifa’s final list for the tournament. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male...

  • Artan deemed a threat to national security by US officials

  • ‘I promise you that I will attend the next one’

The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the US arrived on Wednesday in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials.

Omar Artan was due to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making Fifa’s final list for the tournament. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.

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Omar Artan (PERSON) Somalia (LOCATION) US (LOCATION) Artan (LOCATION) World Cup (EVENT) Mogadishu (LOCATION) a World Cup (EVENT) Fifa (ORG) Africa (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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