We Will Be Back” – Omar Artan Fires Bold World Cup Message Amid US Ban

According to Ireporter Online, Somali referee Omar Artan has vowed to come back stronger after being denied entry into the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup, receiving a heroic reception upon his return to Mogadishu.

Reports indicate that more than 100 supporters gathered at the VIP section of Mogadishu’s main airport on Wednesday, waving Somali flags and cheering as Artan arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight. The emotional crowd welcomed him as a national figure of pride following his exclusion from the tournament.

Speaking to journalists, Artan remained defiant, insisting that the setback would not end his ambition in global football officiating. He stated that he remains determined to feature at future World Cup tournaments and continue representing Somalia on the international stage.

The development has sparked widespread outrage in Somalia, where his selection as one of the FIFA World Cup match officials was widely celebrated as a historic achievement. Government official Mohamed Said described the decision to bar him from entry as deeply unjust, saying it “hurts everybody who is concerned about humanity.”

Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, was reportedly stopped at Miami International Airport on Saturday. A United States State Department official later stated that he was deemed “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations,” making him ineligible for admission.

Following the decision, FIFA confirmed that Artan would no longer participate in the tournament, which is set to kick off across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. His initial inclusion in the 52-member list of match officials had been a major source of national pride, with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud earlier describing him as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis.”