09/06/2026
I am deeply saddened and disappointed by what happened to FIFA World Cup referee Omar Artan. After years of hard work, dedication, and excellence, he earned the honor of being selected to officiate at the World Cup a historic achievement not only for him but for Somalia as a whole.
Denying Omar Artan entry into the United States despite being chosen by FIFA is a serious injustice and a heartbreaking setback.
If the reason for his exclusion is simply that he holds a Somali passport, then this is a clear example of unfair treatment that goes against the principles of equality, merit, and fair play that football represents.
Omar Artan deserved to be judged by his qualifications, professionalism, and achievements not by the nationality written on his passport.
He worked tirelessly to reach the highest level of refereeing and was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup match.
That dream has now been taken away under deeply troubling circumstances.
Reports indicate that he was denied entry to the United States despite holding a valid visa, preventing him from taking part in the tournament.
I stand in solidarity with Omar Artan and with everyone who believes that sport should unite people, not exclude them.
This decision is not only a personal loss for Omar, but also a loss for football and for the values of fairness and equal opportunity.