Referee Omar Artan returned to Mogadishu Wednesday after US immigration barred his entry to the 2026 World Cup officials’ base in Florida. The 34‑year‑old CAF referee of the year 2025 was among 52 officials selected and would have been Somalia’s first World Cup referee. He landed at Aden Adde International Airport to a crowd of government ministers, Somali Football Federation officials and fellow referees.

Artan announced his intention to target the World Cup 2030, thanking officials and citizens for their support. He is expected to appear at Mogadishu Stadium Wednesday for a match between Heegan and Dekadaha, where he will address fans. The US ban stems from President Donald Trump’s 2025 travel restriction that places Somalia on a twelve‑country entry list, blocking visa holder from entering the United States.

Artan’s resolve underscores the symbolic weight of representation for a nation often dismissed in international discourse. By vowing to return for 2030, he challenges the travel ban’s broader narrative and offers a rallying point for Somali youth. His statement that “the flag is ours” resonated throughout the airport crowd, cementing his role as a national sporting ambassador.