It is a chaotic World Cup, says former England striker
The US had denied Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to “suspected members of terror organizations”.
Former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright has labelled this summer’s World Cup a “World Cup of chaos” after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States.
Artan, who had been set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup, was among the 52 officials selected for the tournament. However, after being refused entry to the United States, FIFA confirmed that he would be removed from its roster.
Omar is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
In a video posted on social media, Wright pointed to Artan’s situation alongside several other issues that have emerged in the lead-up to the tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico, arguing that the competition is shaping up to be a “World Cup of chaos”.
Omar arrived back home on Wednesday and was received with a heroic welcome in the capital, Mogadishu.
In Mogadishu, Artan criticised the decision to bar him entry to the US for the World Cup, saying that what had happened to him was “unfortunate”. The Trump administration said on Tuesday the US had denied Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to “suspected members of terror organizations”.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Updates and Announcements
Related
The US Customs and Border Protection said he was deemed inadmissible because of vetting concerns as officials had determined that Artan was a threat to national security.
“What happened has happened and it was unfortunate. I am grateful for the support FIFA gave me,” Artan said and urged his supporters to stand behind their country. “Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad. I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country,” he said. “I am now in my country, and there is no other place I want to be.
“I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” he said as hundreds of supporters at the airport waved the Somali flag. “I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.”
A FIFA spokesperson said Artan would now not be able to train or officiate at the tournament, which starts in Mexico City on Thursday. Somalia’s government said it had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with the US and Fifa so that Artan could enter the US and was saddened by what happened.
Artan was issued with a visa to travel to the US last week, according to the Somali embassy in Kenya that processed it.
