Somali's Omar Artan breaks silence months after being denied US entry for World Cup
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the US while traveling to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has spoken publicly for the first time about the setback, describing the experience as “a very tough period” as he prepares to take charge of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
Artan was selected as a match official for the World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the tournament. However, his hopes were dashed after he was denied entry to the US upon arriving at Miami International Airport on June 6, despite holding a valid visa.
US Customs and Border Protection said Artan was deemed inadmissible because of “vetting concerns”, without providing further details. FIFA subsequently confirmed that he would not be able to participate in the tournament.
“It was a very tough period,” Artan told UEFA.com.
“A lot of people have sympathy for me because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging,” he added.
‘GRATEFUL FOR SUPPORT’
Despite the setback, Artan said he was grateful for the support he received from across the world.
“I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world. I’m so grateful,” he said.
Just five days after Artan was denied entry to the US, UEFA appointed him to referee the Super Cup following discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The appointment has given Artan another opportunity to make history. He will become the first non-European referee to oversee the UEFA Super Cup when Paris Saint-Germain face Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on Wednesday.
The match will also mark Artan’s first refereeing assignment in Europe.
UEFA said the appointment was made under a cooperation agreement signed with CAF this year to strengthen collaboration between the two organisations.
“This is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees,” CAF president Patrice Motsepe said, according to UEFA.
Artan said the news of his Super Cup appointment brought immense joy to his family and Somali communities across Europe.
“When we got this call, it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment,” he said.
“There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria, and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this.”
Artan, 34, has established himself as one of Africa’s leading referees. He joined FIFA’s international list of match officials in 2018 and became the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024.
He later became the first Somali official to referee a CAF Champions League final and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
Reflecting on his journey and the setbacks he has faced, Artan urged aspiring referees to continue believing in their ambitions.
“I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can. You can do whatever you want to do. Don’t ever stop dreaming,” he said.
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