Somali referee Omar Artan, who made global headlines after being denied entry into the US to officiate matches at the ongoing 2026 Fifa World Cup, received a hero’s welcome in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area on Friday evening.
Artan, 34, was among the 52 centre referees selected to officiate at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in Mexico, USA and Canada. However, he was denied entry into the US.
After arriving in Eastleigh, some five kilometres east of Nairobi on Friday, Artan said he had been overjoyed to learn that the world football governing body had selected him to officiate at the global tournament.
“I worked for many years to get there, and unfortunately, it did not happen,” said Artan, who was mobbed by fans in Eastleigh.
He said although he did not officiate at the tournament, his fellow referees who travelled to the tournament were equal to the task, and he wished them well.
“I believe in teamwork. I support the referees selected for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, and I wish all the referees the very best for the opportunity they got,” said Artan.
Upon travelling to USA for the tournament, the Somali referee was detained for hours at Miami International Airport in USA, and his visa was revoked. He was then deported to Istanbul, Turkey, over undisclosed vetting concerns, and alleged links to a terrorist organisation. Upon returning home on June 10, 2026, he received a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu.
Somali referee Omar Artan (centre) speaks to the media in the company of FKF President Hussein Muhammed (left) and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale at BBS Mall in Nairobi's Eastleigh on July 3, 2026.
Photo credit: Toto Arege | Nation Media Group
The 2025 Caf Men’s Referee of the Year arrived at BBS Mall in Eastleigh at around 3pm and met members of the Somali community. Hundreds of fans turned up to welcome him. Many grabbed him to take selfies, while others simply cheered him on.
Artan was received by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed, BBS Mall CEO Yassin Hussein, and other government officials.
Ironically, his failure to get clearance to enter the US and officiate in the 2026 World Cup opened other doors for him. Artan was invited to Nairobi to officiate the title decider in Kuwait Zain Premier League match between Kuwait SC and Al Qadsia SC on Monday this week. Kuwait SC went on to win the league title in the high-profile fixture officiated by Artan.
Following his heartbreak, European football governing body Uefa said it had tasked Artan to officiate the Uefa Super Cup , which will be played in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12 between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Uefa Europa League winners Aston Villa.
“The reception I have received in Kenya has been wonderful. I thank the people of Kenya, especially the Kenyan government and FKF President Hussein Mohammed, for their support from the very beginning. I am happy to be back in my country Kenya,” said Artan, who was visiting the country for the first time since his visa ordeal.
He added, “Having a Kenyan identity is fantastic, especially in football. I have worked with Kenyan assistant referees for the last three to four years, and now I truly feel like I am at home.”
“The support from Africa and across the world has been incredible. I am truly grateful for all the encouragement I have received,” he said.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was expected to officiate at matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was denied entry to US, addresses fans at the Mogadishu stadium, in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 10, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
He has spent years building his reputation as one of Africa’s leading match officials since joining Fifa’s international referees list in 2018. He has also officiated in the Caf Champions League and at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
In 2025, CAF named him Africa’s Men’s Referee of the Year. He is the first Somali official to win the award.
Fifa later selected Artan to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, a historic appointment that would have made him the first Somali referee to take charge of a men’s World Cup finals match.
Reflecting on his journey, Artan said the road to the top has not been easy.
“At the beginning, my journey was not easy because I was very young and did not have the support I needed. But the most important thing is that I never gave up. That is the lesson I want everyone to learn. No one should ever give up in life. Even if you face 100 challenges, find just one solution that will help you move forward. If someone does not like you or tries to discourage you, never allow that to hold you back.”
Asked whether he would consider officiating a Kenyan Premier League match if given the opportunity, Artan laughed before replying, “FKF has actually been supporting me without even realising it. Stephen Onyango will travel with me to officiate the Uefa Super Cup, and that means a lot to me. Kenyans and Somalis have always stood together, and they have been part of my journey. If the FKF President allows me to officiate a match in Kenya, why not? It would be a great honour.”
“You have become a symbol not only in Kenya and the region, but also across the world. People from all walks of life stood in solidarity with you, and that is a lesson for all of us. Whenever we face challenges, we should lift our heads, stay strong, and never give up. This opportunity is not just for Artan alone, but also for all of us to keep pushing forward. FKF is ready to work with you and thank you for incorporating us into our programmers and supporting the development of our local referees,” said Mohammed.
Other than the 52 centre referees, the world governing body had also appointed 88 assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees (VAR), bringing the total number of match officials to 170 from 50 countries. Six women are among the officials, who were selected by Fifa after a rigorous three-year assessment of their performances in top-level competitions. The officials are tasked with officiating the tournament’s 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
