What happened
A historic selection, halted at the border.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan became the first Somali match official ever selected to officiate at a FIFA World Cup — a milestone for Somali football and for referees across the continent who rarely see themselves represented at the sport’s highest level.
Ahead of the 2026 tournament, he was denied entry to the host country. A referee who passed every sporting and professional bar to reach the World Cup now faces exclusion for a reason that has nothing to do with the game.
FIFA has the standing to advocate for the officials it selects. This campaign asks it to do exactly that — publicly, and on principle.
A first for Somali football
The first official from Somalia chosen to referee at a World Cup — representation that matters far beyond one tournament.
Selected on merit
Artan met every sporting and professional standard FIFA sets for its World Cup officials.
A clear principle
No match official should be excluded from the World Cup on the basis of their nationality.