MOGADISHU: The world’s football governing body, FIFA, is under fire after banning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from officiating at the World Cup.
The seasoned and award-winning referee has been barred from entering the United States of America as he was part of the panel to blow the whistle at the 2026 global showpiece. Many football fans and pundits blame FIFA president Gianni Infantino for failing to protect Artan and letting politics interfere with sport.
Various publications report that the ban was purely based on US border control authorities to bar the award-winning Somali referee from making an entry into the joint hosting nation, and it has sparked serious international outrage.
BANNED FROM MAKING HISTORY AT THE WORLD CUP
Artan, who is affiliated with the Confederation of African Football, was set to become the first Somali official to referee at a World Cup hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the US.
Reuters reported that US officials denied him entry over ‘vetting concerns’ and alleged links to suspected terrorists, despite his valid visa.
Football fans across Africa, global political figures, sports personalities, and the Somali sports ministry condemned the treatment of Artan. Many argue the decision was racially and politically motivated.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) labelled the incident “shameful”, emphasising that they had previously warned against the tournament being awarded to the US, led by the controversial Donald Trump.
“The EFF cautioned that it was reckless to place the world’s most celebrated sporting competition in a country that has institutionalised discrimination, weaponised immigration policy, and continues to treat people from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and other parts of the Global South as security threats rather than human beings,” said EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
The South African political party argued that excluding Artan shows a pattern of discrimination. They highlighted how Iran’s national soccer team was forced to abandon its US training base and move to Mexico due to operational and diplomatic problems, including visa issues.
“What makes this situation particularly unacceptable is that the United States was awarded hosting rights despite an extensive and well-documented history of discriminatory immigration practices, racial profiling and the targeting of minority communities. The treatment of Artan is particularly offensive because it robs both Somalia and the African continent of a historic achievement,” the EFF added.
While he has been denied an opportunity to make his dream come true, Artan received a heroes’ welcome upon arrival at Mogadishu’s Adan Abdulle International Airport on Wednesday morning.
Joining the EFF is a United Kingdom MP, Jeremy Corbyn, who also condemned the act as an “absolute disgrace.”
“A FIFA-certified referee being denied entry to the United States purely because he is Somali. This is racism, plain and simple. Shameful,” Corbyn said.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined the protest, saying the US should not bar officials from entering to do their jobs as a World Cup host. She stressed that the World Cup is meant to unite sports fans worldwide.
“It’s terribly backward. It’s also counterproductive. Global sports competitions should improve international exchange and relations, not the reverse,” she said.
World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also expressed solidarity with Artan and Somalia, voicing deep disappointment over the incident. “Artan didn’t just make the FIFA World Cup; he made history as the first Somali referee to get there, and as Africa’s best. That milestone stands, no matter what,” Ghebreyesus said.
“So sorry to see this, Omar. You reached the summit of your profession and inspired a generation back home just by getting there, and being kept off the pitch you earned doesn’t change that. This won’t be the end of your story on the world stage. The world stands with you as one family, wishing you resilience now and many more major finals to come. Solidarity.”
Former Somali president Mohamed Farmaajo called Artan to express the country’s collective support during these challenges. “Omar is a symbol of our people and country’s great potential,” Farmaajo said.
FIFA has remained silent and didn’t help the talented referee. Retired England international Ian Wright said this is part of a recurring pattern of officials, journalists, and fans being denied entry into the US. “Is this how the hosts behave for the greatest tournament in the world? Is this the spirit of football? This is a World Cup of chaos,” he said.
Per Sky Sports, Infantino only urged the sporting community to ‘chill and relax’, and this could be a sign that pressure is mounting on the embattled football official.
It is reported that the statement was issued during a 66-minute press conference on the eve of the tournament, during which Infantino defended FIFA amid several controversies that have overshadowed the build-up to the World Cup.
“It is unfortunate what happened to Omar. But we don’t control everything. We try, we discuss, and we will speak. Maybe sometimes it is good as well to just chill and relax. We work on everything and try to solve everything,” Infantino said.
“Sometimes, to start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution. Believe me when I tell you, don’t believe me if you want, we always try to find solutions. We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces; we are a sports organisation.”
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will open this year’s edition with joint hosts, Mexico, on Thursday night. The match is seen as a repeat of the opening affair during the 2010 tournament, which was hosted for the first time on African homesoil. The match gets underway at 21:00 (CAT).
