The most inclusive World Cup ever? Tell that to Omar Artan, the Somali referee just banned by Trump’s US | Morgan Ofori
This episode feels symbolic of a World Cup where the global game has been sacrificed to Fifa’s cynical money-making – and Trumpian whim Omar Abdulkadir Artan was supposed to make history this week, becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup. Instead, he’s watching from outside the US, denied entry without explanation by the Trump administration. Welcome to the most inclusive Wor
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the first Somali referee scheduled to officiate at the World Cup, has been banned from entering the US by the Trump administration.
What was announced
- Omar Abdulkadir Artan was set to make history as the first Somali referee at a World Cup.
- He is currently denied entry to the US without explanation.
- Fifa projects revenues of $8.9bn from this tournament, indicating a focus on profit over inclusivity.
Context
The article discusses the contrast between Fifa's claims of inclusivity and the reality faced by individuals like Artan.
“Welcome to the most inclusive World Cup ever.”
Why this matters: This situation highlights the challenges faced by Somali representatives on the global stage and raises questions about inclusivity in international events.
Original report with a saved translation · English
English · Machine translated · Not human reviewed
Original
Original source text
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This episode feels symbolic of a World Cup where the global game has been sacrificed to Fifa’s cynical money-making – and Trumpian whim
Omar Abdulkadir Artan was supposed to make history this week, becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup. Instead, he’s watching from outside the US, denied entry without explanation by the Trump administration. Welcome to the most inclusive World Cup ever.
Fifa, the game’s governing body, is projecting revenues of $8.9bn (£6.7bn) from this tournament – double what the 2024 Olympics made. More teams: 48, up from 32. More matches: 104 over 39 days. More markets, just how they like it. This is good business.
Morgan Ofori is a reporter, blogger and subeditor for the Guardian’s The Long Wave
Source noteWhy this story appears
This report is shown because it came from Warkasta’s monitored source network and matches the current section, recency, and coverage labels.
Why this story appears
This report is shown because it came from Warkasta’s monitored source network and matches the current section, recency, and coverage labels.
- Source count
- 1
- Sources used
- The Guardian Somalia
- Language mix
- English
- Translation status
- Shown in its original language
- AI synthesis
- No AI synthesis is used for this story panel
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