Somali referee Omar Altan was denied entry to america due to his “affiliation with a suspected terrorist group,” a U.S. official stated.
The 34-year-old, who was named Africa’s 2025 Umpire of the 12 months, was set to turn out to be the primary Somali to officiate in a World Cup ultimate, however was refused entry at Miami Worldwide Airport on Monday regardless of having a diplomatic passport and a U.S. first-entry visa.
Somalia is considered one of 12 international locations on the journey ban listing launched by President Donald Trump.
Artan returned to Somalia on Wednesday.
“This particular person was looking for admission to america. Upon additional inspection by CBP (Customs and Border Safety), derogatory info was found, together with an affiliation with a suspected terrorist group, and the traveler was now not eligible to enter america below the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA),” a Trump administration official stated.
“The traveler was refused entry and given an entry doc containing the provisions of the regulation for use to finish expedited elimination procedures below INA 8235.
“President Trump’s administration won’t ever permit any safety risk to enter our nation.”
BBC Sport has contacted Artan for remark. He instructed The New York Occasions on Tuesday that he was questioned by border officers about his ties to Somalia’s al-Shabab militant group, and that he denied figuring out something concerning the group.
Upon touchdown at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Worldwide Airport, he was greeted by authorities officers, representatives of the Somali Soccer Federation, fellow referees and native residents, earlier than assembly with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the Presidential Palace.
He was scheduled to attend a public occasion at Mogadishu Stadium late Wednesday afternoon to look at the match between Heagan and Dekadaha.
Artan gave a brief assertion to the media on the airport, expressing his willpower to host the 2030 World Cup, however didn’t take questions from journalists.
“I wish to thank the officers, the ministers, the MPs and everybody. I wish to thank the nation and the folks for his or her help. I’m certain that with the encouragement I’ve acquired right here, there shall be much more help outdoors[the airport],” Artan stated, his phrases translated into English by the BBC.
“All the things is predestined. FIFA supported me properly and stored in contact with me till I arrived in Mogadishu.
“I promise to referee for you within the subsequent World Cup. Somalia, wherever, I’ll let you already know.”
Artan was named the 2025 Confederation of African Soccer (Caf) Male Referee of the 12 months and was considered one of 52 referees chosen for the World Cup.
However his “dream” got here crashing down when he tried to get to the on-field officers’ base in Florida. Artan instructed the New York Occasions that he confronted 11 hours of immigration management outdoors and was detained for a number of hours earlier than being placed on a airplane to Istanbul, Turkey.
Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White Home job pressure on the World Cup, instructed the BBC World Service: “I am unable to go into derogatory info, however I can say it was the precise determination by Customs and Border Safety and I help that call.”
It might not have been doable for Artan to remain outdoors america and officiate video games in Canada or Mexico, with all on-field personnel based mostly in Florida for coaching, preparation and safety.
In June 2025, President Trump imposed a whole ban on entry to 12 international locations, together with Somalia, below all visa classes.
Two days earlier than the December 2025 World Cup draw, President Trump drew widespread consideration for his feedback concerning Somalia forward of a deliberate immigration enforcement raid in Minnesota, which has a big Somali group.
“Somalia is hardly a rustic; it has nothing,” he stated.
“They’re simply operating round killing one another. There isn’t any construction.”
President Trump additionally stated Somali immigrants ought to “return to the place they got here from” and that “persevering with to just accept trash into our nation will transfer America within the mistaken path.”
After returning residence, Artan appealed to younger Somalis to not lose hope for his or her homeland within the face of their therapy, saying: “Let’s all shield the consideration of Somalia. For higher or for worse, all of us belong to Somalia.”
“The flag is ours, the passport is ours, let’s shield it.
“Younger folks shouldn’t be discouraged about their nation. Despite the fact that this occurred to me, I’ll nonetheless rise up for my nation.
“I wish to proceed my journey from right here and I wish to encourage younger folks to do the identical.”
