At this rate, you'd think Trump personally looked at Omar Artan's application and said, "Not today."
Jokes aside, many Somalis are asking how one of Africa's top referees could reportedly miss a major FIFA tournament after earning his place through merit and professionalism.
The World Cup is supposed to be a global event for everyone. When qualified officials are unable to participate, people naturally want answers.
#JusticeForOmarArtan
I call upon all nations, football associations, players, officials, and supporters to seriously consider a boycott until full transparency is provided regarding the treatment of Somali referee Omar Artan.
This is not just about one individual. It is about principle.
If a qualified international referee, selected on merit to officiate at one of football's biggest tournaments, can be prevented from carrying out his duties, then all nations should be concerned.
The reasons for concern are simple:
• Equal treatment must apply to all officials, regardless of nationality.
• International sport should unite people, not exclude them.
• Merit and professionalism should be respected.
• FIFA competitions should uphold fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination.
Today it is a Somali official. Tomorrow it could be someone from another African, Muslim, or developing nation.
We stand with Omar Artan. We stand for fairness, dignity, and equal treatment for all.
@georgegalloway@FIFAWorldCup
Hoy, Estados Unidos del criminal ultraderechista de Donald Trump ha denegado el visado a Omar Abdulkadir Artan, árbitro somalí que ha sido elegido mejor colegiado de África.
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to referee at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States.
He received a diplomatic passport from the Somali embassy but was turned away upon his arrival.
Omar Artan was elected Best African Referee in 2025.
To my Somali brothers and sisters: make your voices heard. We cannot remain silent when one of our own is prevented from representing Somalia and Africa on the world stage.
And to all people of conscience around the world: stand with us. This is about fairness, dignity, and equal treatment.
Omar Artan earned his place through professionalism, hard work, and merit. No qualified referee should be denied the opportunity to perform his duties without clear and fair justification.
We demand answers. We demand fairness. We demand equal treatment for all.
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@USATODAY@US2SOMALIA@nypost@washingtonpost@latimes
Omar Artan is one of Africa's finest referees, yet he was reportedly denied entry to the United States despite being scheduled to officiate at the Club World Cup.
A proud Somali representing both his country and continent should be celebrated, not obstructed.
Strangely, many who never miss an opportunity to criticise Turkey have nothing to say about this. Their silence is telling.
Omar Artan deserves better. Somalia deserves better.
The EU's approach to Somalia has long prioritised international missions and the NGO-industrial complex over direct investment in Somali institutions and the Somali people.
For years, vast resources have been channelled into AMISOM and its successor missions, while Somalia's own national institutions have often received far less support. Many Somalis question why external structures continue to receive funding when greater investment could be made in strengthening the Somali National Army and state institutions.
This is also why comparisons with Turkey resonate with many Somalis. Turkey has chosen to engage directly with Somalia by investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security institutions, helping to build local capacity rather than relying primarily on external missions.
With the current peace support mission expected to conclude in the coming months, it is fair to ask why international partners are still prioritising external mechanisms instead of focusing their resources on Somalia's long-term self-reliance and national institutions.
@umutcagrisariii
Clan grievances are a relic of a fractured past that has no future in modern Somalia.
The nation is building a new identity one rooted in citizenship, law, and shared ambition, not bloodlines or outdated loyalties.
Those who refuse to evolve, who still wield clan as a weapon or shield, will not hold the rest of the country hostage. Somalia is moving forward with or without them.
BREAKING: Somali police displayed weapons and drones they say were stashed inside the Elite Hotel on Elite Hotel on Lido Beach, saying the weapons were used by Sharif Sheikh militia in recent fighting in Mogadishu.
"Just as he (Said Deni) loves traveling to the UAE, I keep shuttling back and forth to Mogadishu,"
A Somali citizen’s social media post drawing a parallel between Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni’s frequent trips to the UAE and ordinary travel to Mogadishu has gained traction online.
🚨 This video by North-East State of Somalia 🇸🇴 went viral on social media.
Radical Somaliland terrorists lies has been exposed ‼️
North-East State of Somalia 🇸🇴 has defacto and deJure control of 50% of Northern Somalia.
The Chairman of the Somali Petroleum Authority, Abdulqadir Adan Mahmoud, today inspected the section of the Port of Mogadishu designated to support the vessel conducting Somalia’s oil drilling operations. During the visit, he provided details about the ongoing work and the progress of the project.