YSF

No Apologies Whatever I Post On This X

[Larry Madowo @LarryMadowo]

The world’s most famous referee rn 🇸🇴 🙌🏾

[Anders Åslund @anders_aslund]

Apparently, the US is not competent to organize a major international sport event.
Another great Trump embarrassment.

[Diario Olé @DiarioOle]

ESTADOS UNIDOS LE PROHIBIÓ EL INGRESO A MEJOR ÁRBITRO DE ÁFRICA 🇺🇸✋

🚫 A Omar Abdulkadir Artan, juez somalí, no le permitieron ingresar a Miami y lo hicieron volver a Turquía, desde donde salió

➡️ El premiado como el mejor de la Confederación Africana de Fútbol recibió la ayuda de la Embajada de Somalia en Nairobi, Kenia, que le facilitó un pasaporte diplomático para ingresar

✍️ Según informan los medios locales, no le dieron ninguna explicación para frenar su entrada

🇸🇴👎 Donald Trump, hace unos meses, calificó a Somalia como un país que "apesta"

[Amir @AmirAminiMD]

The world still has an opportunity to boycott this pathetic joke of a host nation.

[Micky Jnr @MickyJnr__]

💔 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. 🇸🇴

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest referees, spent years working towards football’s biggest stage - the FIFA World Cup.

After initially facing visa difficulties, it took a huge wave of support and noise on social media for his visa to finally be approved.

He travelled from Kenya, transited through Turkey and eventually arrived in the United States.

But upon arrival, he was denied entry by immigration authorities and sent back to Turkey.

No clear explanation has been provided.

For a referee who dedicated years of hard work, sacrifice and commitment to earn his place at the World Cup, this is a cruel and painful situation.

Football should be celebrating his achievement today.

Instead, one of Africa’s best officials is heading away from the tournament he worked so hard to reach.

𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 😭

#AfricanFootball
#WorldCupwithMicky

[Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) @Asmali77]

This #WorldCup is becoming a joke. Shootings around stadiums, visa issues, and now Somali referee Omar Artan reportedly denied entry despite having a diplomatic passport and being named Africa's best referee.
@FIFAcom needs to step up and clear the mess!

[John Wight @JohnWight1]

Even Hitler's Germany did not prevent athletes and officials from entering the country to take part in the 1936 Olympics.

This is pristine racism and @FIFAcom stands disgraced for allowing Trump to disfigure the beautiful game in this way.

[total Barça @totalBarca]

The African referee of the year has been denied a visa by the US to participate in the World Cup.

Vergüenza.

[RFI @RFI]

Mondial 2026: un arbitre somalien refoulé à son arrivée aux États-Unis
➡️ https://t.co/mbdOVur8cF

[MARCA @marca]

‼️ Lio en el Mundial: Estados Unidos deniega la entrada al mejor árbitro de África
https://t.co/H5Ey3RhUAY

[New Direction AFRICA @Its_ereko]

🚨 CAF, WHERE IS YOUR VOICE?

Africa’s best referee — Omar Abdulkadir Artan, CAF Referee of the Year 2025 and the first Somali ever selected for the FIFA World Cup — was denied entry into the US despite a diplomatic passport and approved visa. Turned back at the airport like a criminal. No reason given.

This is a direct humiliation of African excellence on the global stage.

CAF — you crowned him the best on the continent. Now you stay silent while one of your own is disrespected by the host nation?

No strong statement. No demand for answers from FIFA or US authorities. No defense of African officials.

This is not leadership. This is complicity in the face of Western arrogance.

Africa’s talent deserves better than puppet organizations that bow when it matters most.

Stand up for Omar Artan. Stand up for African football. Or step aside for those who will.

[African @ali_naka]

BEST AFRICAN REFEREE IN 2025

Diplomatic Passport

Denied entry into the USA

BECAUSE Trump Hates Somalia

Fuck you @FIFAcom

[Madrid Zone @theMadridZone]

🚨 Somali referee Omar Artan was appointed by FIFA to ref in the 2026 World Cup, after he was awarded as the BEST AFRICAN REFEREE in 2025 .

However, the USA immigration authorities have DENIED him entry into the country, immediately kicking him out.

They have REFUSED to grant him a visa. @Romain_Molina

[BarçaTimes @BarcaTimes]

This is ridiculous on every level. First, the saga of Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein being denied entry, then reports of Iran being told to only arrive in the US on matchdays, and now this.

The World Cup is supposed to unite nations, not create obstacles for them. FIFA cannot keep looking the other way. They need to step in now and put an end to this.

[Daily Mail @DailyMail]

World Cup referee - Africa's best - is denied entry to United States and sent back after landing at Miami Airport, despite having a diplomatic passport https://t.co/2JPP5NpJpT

[Instant Foot ⚽️ @lnstantFoot]

Une nouvelle controverse sur les visas émerge à l'approche de la Coupe du Monde. 😳🛂❌

Le meilleur arbitre africain, Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalie), attend toujours son visa... suscitant des inquiétudes à seulement quelques jours du tournoi. 🇸🇴

Une fois de plus, les problèmes hors terrain éclipsent l'aspect sportif de la compétition. 🥲

(@MickyJnr__)

[YSF @Maxadcase]

@PolymarketFC @TheVillaSomalia expell all Americans in somalia immediately

[SOMALI ATHLETE @SomaliAthlete]

SOMALIYEEY, I WONDER IF A AJANBI COACH WOULD SHOW THE SAME LEVEL OF EMOTION THAT COACH YUU CALI SHOWED? 🤔💭

[YSF @Maxadcase]

@SomaliAthlete Ok 🤔

[YSF @Maxadcase]

@BaidoaOnline Nin aan aabihi u ekeen garac miyaa