Banned World Cup Referee Called Trump ‘Racist', Condemned US
Summary
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a Somali referee chosen to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was denied entry to the United States and sent back at the airport over concerns from a U.S. government vetting process. Artan had posted criticism of President Donald Trump and U.S. foreign policy on social media. After being sent home, Artan was welcomed by thousands of supporters in Somalia.Key Facts
- Omar Abdulkadir Artan is a Somali soccer referee selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- He was denied entry to the U.S. at Miami airport due to "vetting concerns" related to alleged associations with suspected terror groups.
- Artan’s social media posts from 2017 showed him calling President Trump a racist and criticizing U.S. policies in Africa.
- The Somali Embassy in Kenya had issued Artan a visa before his travel to the U.S.
- FIFA confirmed Artan cannot participate in the World Cup matches since he was denied entry.
- After returning to Somalia, thousands of soccer fans welcomed him at a stadium ceremony in Mogadishu.
- Artan promised to attend the next World Cup and expressed confidence to the Somali public.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection and an official linked the denial to derogatory information discovered in vetting.
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