10.06.2026 14:50
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the USA for the World Cup mission, was welcomed by citizens in the capital Mogadishu upon returning to his country. Somalis showed their support, stating they trust the referee's success and that the obstacle experienced is temporary.
Citizens gathered in the capital Mogadishu to welcome Artan expressed their sadness over the incident to an AA correspondent while emphasizing their confidence in the successful referee's career.
RECEIVED LIKE A KING
Nasra Ali stated that the obstacle Artan faced was temporary, saying, 'He may not have been admitted to the US today, but that cannot stop him. He reached this point through his own effort and hard work. I believe he will achieve even greater successes in the future.'
Abdullah Ali, who said he came to welcome Artan, expressed his sorrow that the Somali referee was not allowed entry into the US.
Aweys Osman also said he was saddened by the developments and argued that the referee should have completed the necessary preparations earlier before the World Cup organization.
Ferhan Salad, conveying that the incident deeply saddened them as young Somalis, noted that the level Artan has reached is admirable.
Salad, expressing that Artan's achievements serve as an inspiration for Somali youth, used the phrase, 'Thorns prick those who try to move forward, not those who stay still.'
Somali football referee Artan, who was stopped at Miami International Airport and denied entry to the US, arrived in his country in the morning via Istanbul.
Selected as the referee of the year in 2025 by the African Football Confederation, the experienced figure was also set to become the first Somali referee to officiate in World Cup history.