Somali international referee Omar Artan has returned home to a hero’s welcome after being banned from entering the United States.

He was due to officiate at matches during the FIFA World Cup but was turned away at the border in Miami over the weekend, despite having a valid visa.

FIFA subsequently cut him from the tournament’s referee list. His exclusion has sparked outrage across the world.
As Artan disembarked in Mogadishu, supporters waving Somali flags crowded around him before draping him in the flag.
He was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament.

Artan is one of Africa’s top football umpires and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
Speaking on his arrival, he thanked the Somali government, the public, and FIFA for their support. Artan said he plans to attend the next World Cup and urged Somali youths to take pride in their country.

In a swift reaction on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his regret at this unexpected situation, while reiterating that FIFA does not have total control over decisions made by the sovereign authorities of the host countries.z

The head of world football thus felt compelled to react publicly for the first time since the incident that prevented the Somali referee from joining the group of officials selected for the competition.