Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan arrived in his home country's capital, Mogadishu, on Wednesday (June 10) morning to a rapturous welcome by fans and officials, after he was denied entry into the United States ahead of the World Cup.

The Trump administration said on Tuesday (June 9) that the Somali referee had been refused entry because of links to "suspected members of terror organizations", part of a strict immigration stance that has raised concerns ahead of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Artan, Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, had been set to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer’s global showpiece but was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after arriving in Miami from Istanbul over the weekend.

Somalia’s government said it had unsuccessfully tried to engage U.S. authorities and FIFA to secure his entry, calling his achievements a source of national pride.

CBP said a Somali national was deemed inadmissible after vetting uncovered “derogatory information”, making the traveller ineligible under U.S. law. A U.S. official later said Artan was considered a national security threat.

FIFA said it was not involved in host country immigration decisions and had been informed Artan’s status would not change, meaning he would be unable to train or officiate at the tournament.

The Somali Football Federation said it had not received a formal explanation and was working with FIFA to understand the circumstances. Artan said he was in good spirits and thanked supporters before returning home.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (JUNE 10, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. VARIOUS OF TURKISH PLANE ON TARMAC

2. VARIOUS OF SOMALI REFEREE, OMAR ARTAN, WALKING ON TARMAC TOWARDS TERMINAL, SURROUNDED BY SUPPORTERS

3. ARTAN WALKING IN AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING

4. VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS CHANTING AND WAVING SOMALI FLAGS