MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States was received by a crowd of supporters and officials Wednesday as he arrived in Somalia’s capital of ...

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A Somali soccer referee who was due to become the first from his country to officiate the World Cup but was denied entry to the United States was named Africa’s best referee ...

Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan was denied U.S. entry after CBP flagged association with suspected terror organization members, a Trump admin official said.

Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States after getting selected to officiate in the World Cup.

Somali referee Omar Artan received a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu after being denied entry to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House's World Cup task force and the son of former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said he stood by the U.S.'s decision to reject Omar Artan.

Somali referee Omar Artan receives a hero's welcome at home after being blocked from entering the United States and taking part in the World Cup.

Somali referee Omar Artan will be paid in full for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being denied entry to the United States for the tournament.

Omar Artan, who was named Africa's best male referee in 2025, was denied entry into the United States to work the World Cup earlier this month.

The story of Omar Artan was supposed to be one of the World Cup’s most uplifting moments. A referee from Somalia, a country with limited representation on football’s biggest stage, had earned his ...

U.S. authorities cited “vetting concerns” for refusing Omar Artan just days before the soccer tournament.