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Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somali: Cumar Cabdulqaadir Cartan; Arabic: عمر عبد القادر عرتن; born 6 June 1992) is a Somali football referee. Artan was the first referee from Somalia to take charge of a continental final, overseeing Egyptian side Pyramids FC‘s 2024–25 CAF Champions League triumph over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in Cairo. He has also officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He was the sole representative from Sub-Saharan Africa to officiate at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[1][2][3]

Somali sporting authorities and media have described Artan’s achievements as a source of pride and an inspiration for the country’s sporting development.[4] He was the first Somali referee selected for a FIFA World Cup tournament, among three centre referees chosen from Africa. However, Artan was not allowed to enter the United States and was removed from the tournament, generating controversy.[5]

Early life

Omar Abdulkadir Artan was born in Mogadishu[6] on 6 June 1992.[7]

Refereeing career

Artan began his refereeing career in local Somali leagues and became an official referee in the Somali First Division. He has been a member of the FIFA-listed referees since 2018.[8] Artan made history in January 2024 as the first Somali to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations, overseeing the Group E match between Tunisia and Namibia. He has also handled high-profile fixtures in the CAF Champions League and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[6] Artan was a part of a nine-member contingent from Africa that includes three referees and six assistant referees selected.[3][4]

Somalia’s footballing landscape faced numerous challenges due to instability and conflict that plagued the country for decades. However, recent efforts to restore peace and security have created opportunities for football revival. FIFA played a pivotal role in this revival by offering training to Somali referees and young footballers. Training had been halted for many years due to the unstable situation in the country. However, with the security improvement, FIFA resumed its training programs.[9]

Upon being appointed for the FIFA World Cup in April 2026, president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud applauded Artan for his “effort, skills, and integrity.”[10]

2026 FIFA World Cup

See also: List of 2026 FIFA World Cup controversies

In April 2026, Artan was selected to referee the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[11] On 6 June, he flew from Istanbul, Turkey, to Miami over the weekend to attend a mandatory FIFA match officials seminar ahead of the World Cup.[12] He had secured multiple 3-month US entry visas and received a diplomatic passport facilitated by the Somali Embassy in Nairobi,[13] but upon arrival at Miami International Airport, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) denied him entry,[14] immediately placing him on a return flight to Istanbul.[15] CBP stated that Artan was found inadmissible following inspection due to unspecified “vetting concerns” and was therefore denied admission to the United States.[11]

Some sources blamed the stringent vetting processes and tight immigration restrictions implemented by Trump administration.[16] Artan later said that he had been subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before being refused entry. He stated that US officials did not provide a clear explanation for the decision, despite his possessing the required travel documents, and suggested that his Somali nationality may have been a factor. Describing the World Cup as “the biggest dream of my life”, he expressed disappointment at being unable to participate in the tournament.[17] After his return to Somalia, Artan said that among the questions made by the US officials were topics related to Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab.[10] An unnamed US official subsequently stated that Artan’s alleged “association with suspected members of terror organizations” was the reason for refusing entry.[18][19][20]

FIFA confirmed that he would be unable to participate as a match official at the tournament, noting that decisions regarding entry and visas ultimately rested with the host government.[13] Although the tournament was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, referees were required to attend centralized preparations in the United States. FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina had established a training hub in Miami for the tournament’s 52 referees and 88 assistant referees, making participation in the United States an essential part of tournament officiating preparations.[21]

On 10 June 2026, Artan landed back in Somalia, receiving a warm welcome by authorities and civilians as well as hailing him as a hero.[22] In a brief statement to the press, Artan expressed disappointment with the United States and called on Somalis to defend the name of the country, further stating that he hopes to be at the next FIFA World Cup.[10] Afterwards, FIFA confirmed that Artan would receive his full fee for the 2026 World Cup despite being unable to officiate at the tournament.[23]

2026 UEFA Super Cup

Main article: 2026 UEFA Super Cup

On 11 June 2026, Artan was selected by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to referee of the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, which is expected to take place at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August 2026.[24][25] His selection followed negotiations between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).[26][27] He will become the first ever African to become a referee in a UEFA competition match.[28]

References

  1. ^ “Omar Artan makes history as first Somali referee to officiate FIFA World Cup”. TRT Global. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  2. ^ “Somalia’s Abdulkadir Artan selected to officiate FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025” (in Italian). 23 July 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b Kariuki, Erick (24 July 2025). “FIFA picks Somali referee and Kenyan assistant for U-20 World Cup duty”. The Eastleigh Voice News. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b “Waa kuma wiilka Soomaaliga ee mar kale taariikhda ka dhigay kubadda cagta adduunka?”. BBC News Somali (in Somali). 6 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  5. ^ Feldscher, Kyle; Alvarez, Priscilla; Madowo, Larry (9 June 2026). “A World Cup referee was denied entry to US”. CNN.
  6. ^ a b “Youth and Sports Minister hosts Referee Omar Artan, praises him for raising Somalia’s sporting profile”. Halqabsi News. 23 June 2025. Archived from the original on 26 July 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  7. ^ SARR, El Hadji Malick (14 April 2026). “Mondial 2026 : Omar Abdulkadir Artan, l’ascension historique du premier arbitre somalien en Coupe du monde”. Sport News Africa (in French). Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  8. ^ “Omar Abdulkadir Artan football referee from Somalia”. worldreferee.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  9. ^ “Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan makes history at Africa Cup of Nations”. www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  10. ^ a b c “Cumar Cartan oo baaqa u diray dhalinyarada Soomaaliyeed iyo waxa xiga ee u qorsheysan”. BBC News Somali (in Somali). 10 June 2026. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  11. ^ a b Vertelney, Seth. “Somali referee Omar Artan will miss World Cup after being denied entry to USA”. USA TODAY. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  12. ^ Fish, Hal (8 June 2026). “‘One of the best’ FIFA Referees Has Now Been Turned Away on Arrival in the US for the World Cup”. GiveMeSport.
  13. ^ a b Peter, Mike; Ali, Abdinasir (8 June 2026). “World Cup 2026: Somali referee Omar Artan to miss tournament after being barred from entering US”. BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  14. ^ Feldscher, Kyle; Alvarez, Priscilla; Madowo, Larry (10 June 2026). “World Cup referee denied entry to US”. CNN. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  15. ^ “Somali referee denied entry to US for World Cup: official”. France 24. 8 June 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  16. ^ “Top African referee Omar Artan refused access to US before World Cup”. The Guardian. 8 June 2026. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  17. ^ Mpoke Bigg, Matthew (9 June 2026). “Somali Referee Says His World Cup Dream Is Dashed After U.S. Denies Entry”. The New York Times.
  18. ^ Crafton, Adam (10 June 2026). “Trump administration claim Somali World Cup referee denied U.S. entry had suspected ‘terror’ ties”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  19. ^ Packmohr, Pia (10 June 2026). “Omar Artan: US-Regierung nennt Details zur Abweisung somalischen Schiedsrichters”. Die Zeit (in German). ISSN 0044-2070. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  20. ^ Leahy, Sean; Cwik, Chris (10 June 2026). “2026 World Cup: Somali referee Omar Artan returns home as U.S. official reportedly claims suspected links to ‘terror organizations’“. Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  21. ^ Telfer, Alastair (9 June 2026). “I have right papers and visa – barred referee Artan”. BBC Sport.
  22. ^ Akinwotu, Emmanuel (10 June 2026). “Somali World Cup referee denied U.S. entry, hailed as hero at home”. Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  23. ^ Camba, Gael (14 June 2026). “After refused entry into US, Somali referee Omar Artan will be paid full World Cup fee by FIFA”. Euronews.
  24. ^ “Top African referee Omar Artan to officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup after being unable to participate in FIFA World Cup 2026”. UEFA. 11 June 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  25. ^ Abdiaziz (11 June 2026). “UEFA Appoints Omar Artan to Officiate 2026 Super Cup”. SNN. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  26. ^ Kilpatrick, Dan (11 June 2026). “Somali referee barred from World Cup appointed by UEFA to officiate Super Cup”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  27. ^ Fisher, Ben (11 June 2026). “Somali referee barred from US for World Cup is handed Super Cup final by Uefa”. The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  28. ^ Ogden, Mark (11 June 2026). “Barred World Cup referee Omar Artan to officiate UEFA Super Cup final”. ESPN. Retrieved 12 June 2026.