Topic
entry
Warkasta is tracking entry across 16 reports from 7 sources. Recent coverage touches cup, referee, and humanitarian, each linked to its original source with side-by-side comparison where outlets differ.
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Latest reporting
Video: Canadian leaders speak out for FIFA World Cup Somali referee denied entry to U.S.
Omar Artan, a FIFA World Cup referee denied entry to the U.S., received a hero's welcome after returning to his home country of Somalia. B.C. Premier David Eby and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow both said they'd like to see Artan referee games in Canada.

Somalia Gives Referee Omar Artan a Hero’s Welcome After U.S. Entry Denial
“What happened will not disappoint me, and I promise you that I will participate in the 2030 World Cup,” he said. He also urged Somali youth not to lose faith in their country or their passport. The post Somalia Gives Referee Omar Artan a Hero’s Welcome After U.S. Entry Denial first appeared on Radio Dalsan .
WHO chief expresses solidarity with Somali referee denied US entry ahead of World Cup
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday expressed support for Somali referee Omar Artan, after reports that he was denied entry to the US ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
What to know about the World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the US
A Somali soccer referee who was due to become the first from his country to officiate the World Cup but was denied entry to the United States was named Africa’s best referee and is considered a hero to many in his country.
'Chill, relax,' FIFA president says about Somalia referee's US entry denial
FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday urged critics to "chill, relax" over travel and visa controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, defending FIFA's handling of the issues after being pressed about the denial of entry to a Somali referee by the US and restrictions affecting some teams, journalists, and fans.
Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero’s welcome
A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States was received by a crowd of supporters and officials Wednesday as he arrived in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu, where he said he plans to be at the next World Cup and urged Somali youths to be proud of their country.
Somali referee Omar Artan returns home after US entry denial ends World Cup role
Istanbul (HOL) — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan returned to Somalia on Tuesday after being denied entry to the United States, a decision that ended his expected role as the first Somali official selected to referee at a FIFA World Cup.

Why Somali referee Omar Artan cannot officiate World Cup games in Canada and Mexico after being denied USA entry
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the first Somali referee ever selected for a FIFA World Cup, has been left out from the 2026 tournament after being denied entry into the United States. He arrived in Miami, was pulled aside for additional inspection and was ultimately deemed inadmissible due to what U.S. Artan told the New York Times... The post Why Somali referee Omar Artan cannot officiate World Cup games
Somali federation says yet to be told why referee Omar Artan was denied US entry
The Somali Football Federation voiced deep regret on Tuesday after international referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US to officiate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Somalia Expresses Sorrow Over U.S. Entry Denial of Referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan
MOGADISHU(SONNA)-The Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports has expressed profound sorrow and disappointment after historic FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States, forcing him to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Artan is expected to return home to Somalia tomorrow, Wednesday. According to an official press release, the Ministry—alongside the […]

Somali referee’s World Cup hopes hit after U.S. entry denial
WASHINTON – The United States has denied entry to Somali referee Omar Atan, who had been selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. DHS told media outlets that Artan was found inadmissible following security vetting procedures after arriving in Miami, Florida. The department did not […]
Somalia Olympic Committee backs referee Omar Artan after US entry denial
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s National Olympic Committee expressed support for Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan after U.S. authorities denied him entry ahead of his expected role at the FIFA World Cup.

World Cup - First Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied Entry Into U.S.
[Vanguard] Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to make history as the first official from his country to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, has reportedly been denied entry into the United States ahead of the tournament.
US confirms it denied entry to Somali referee set to take part in World Cup
The United States has denied entry to a top Somali referee who was set to participate in the FIFA World Cup, raising concerns about Washington’s travel restrictions and their impact on the tournament.

Somali referee denied entry to US for World Cup: official
Mogadishu (AFP) – Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on Monday.
Somali FIFA referee denied entry to US ahead of 2026 World Cup
Istanbul (HOL) — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly denied entry to the United States over the weekend, days before he was due to attend preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.