Somali soccer referee who was denied US entry says what happened was 'fate'

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan said on Wednesday that being denied entry to the United States (US) for the World Cup was "fate", as he urged fellow Somalis not to lose hope despite the setback.

Artan, named Africa's Referee of the Year in 2025, was set to become the first Somali official to referee at soccer's biggest tournament. However, he was turned back by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the weekend upon arrival in Miami.

The Trump administration said on Tuesday that Artan had been denied entry because of alleged links to "suspected members of terrorist organizations."

"What happened has happened and it was fate. I am grateful for the support FIFA gave me," Artan told reporters after arriving in Mogadishu.

"Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad. I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country. I am now in my country, and there is no other place I want to be," he added.

Artan received a hero's welcome at Mogadishu's main airport, where more than 100 supporters and journalists gathered to greet him.

Despite missing this year's tournament, the referee vowed to continue pursuing his World Cup dream.

"I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud," he said. "Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged."

The case has renewed attention on concerns surrounding US immigration policies ahead of the World Cup, which begins on June 11 and is being hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada. 

Last year, Washington imposed a broad travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.

A FIFA spokesperson said Artan would no longer be able to participate in referee training or officiate at the tournament.

(With input from wires)