Somali referee Artan describes being denied US entry as 'fate'

Artan, who was named Africa's referee of the year in 2025, was due to become the first Somali to officiate at football's premier global event, but was denied entry by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the weekend.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration stated that the US had refused Artan entry to the World Cup due to his connections with "suspected members of terror organisations".

'What has happened has happened and it was fate. I am thankful for the support FIFA provided me,' Artan told journalists after landing in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, and encouraged his supporters to rally behind their nation.

'Somalia belongs to us, whether times are good or bad. I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country,' he said. 'I am now in my country, and there is no other place I wish to be.'

The Trump administration's tough immigration policies have been a source of anxiety ahead of the World Cup, as Washington imposed a comprehensive travel ban last year on citizens from 12 countries, including Somalia.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that Artan will now be unable to train or officiate at the tournament, which is taking place in the US, Mexico and Canada and begins on Thursday.

Somalia's government stated that it had attempted, without success, to negotiate with the US and FIFA to allow Artan to enter the US, and it expressed sadness over the situation.

Without naming Artan, the CBP reported that a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday and was found inadmissible due to screening concerns.

An administration official later stated that CBP officials had concluded that Artan posed a threat to national security.