Omar Abdulkadir Artan reacts after being turned away on arrival in the United States for the World Cup
“I’m in a positive frame of mind and focused”
The Somali referee remains calm despite no longer being able to take part in the competition.
Although he was due to take part in the 2026 World Cup as a referee selected by FIFA, Omar Abdulkadir Artan has suffered an unexpected setback. The Somali referee was turned away upon arrival in the United States, one of the World Cup host nations. As a result, he will no longer be able to officiate at the tournament.
But despite this difficult situation, Omar Abdulkadir Artan remains calm and professional.
“I am in a positive mood and focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career. I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for their support and I promise to maintain my refereeing standards as I look ahead.”
