World Cup 2026: Somalia top referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan breaks silence after missing tournament following entry denial

Somalian top referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has broken his silence after being denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. 

Artan had been selected as one of the 52 referees for the global showpiece co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and was set to become the first Somali official to referee at football's biggest tournament.

However, his participation at the tournament suffered a major setback after being denied entry into the United States, ruling him out of the mundial, which kick-start on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Reacting to incident, Artan, one of Africa’s highly regarded referees, expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the football community while maintaining a positive outlook despite the disappointment.

“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” Artan said.

The experienced official also acknowledged the backing he received from both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) throughout the difficult period.

“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he added.

Although missing the World Cup was a painful experience, Artan remained optimistic and emphasized his determination to continue progressing in the game. His comments reflected a strong sense of professionalism and resilience as he looks beyond the setback and focuses on future international assignments.

The Somali referee further extended his appreciation to fans, colleagues, and members of the football fraternity who reached out with messages of encouragement.

“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup, and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions,” Artan stated.

Artan’s response has been widely praised for its maturity and positivity, with many within African football commending his ability to remain focused on his long-term goals despite the disappointment.

The referee remains one of Somalia’s most prominent sporting figures and is expected to continue officiating at top continental and international competitions as he aims to earn future World Cup appointments.

His absence is a significant setback for both Somalia and African refereeing representation at the World Cup.