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A Somali World Cup referee who was barred from entering nan United States owed to an alleged "association pinch suspected members of panic organizations" has been appointed to officiate nan 2026 UEFA Super Cup.
Omar Artan was denied introduction into nan U.S. days earlier nan tourney kicked disconnected successful North America by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) aft being flagged for "derogatory" information, a Trump management charismatic told Fox News Digital.
Artan was denied introduction astatine Miami International Airport connected Saturday complete "vetting concerns," CBP said successful a statement. He was reportedly issued a visa to nan U.S. past week, according to nan Somali Embassy successful Kenya that processed it. He was group to meet pinch different referees for training astatine their guidelines successful Miami.
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The charismatic FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand logo appears connected nan matchball during nan Group B lucifer betwixt Australia and Ireland astatine Stadium Australia successful Sydney connected July 20, 2023. (Joe Prior/Visionhaus)
UEFA, though, cited Artan's officiating skills arsenic nan logic why he will beryllium connected nan transportation for nan tournament.
"Omar Artan is an fantabulous young but already knowledgeable referee, who has proven himself astatine nan highest title level of nan Confederation of African Football," UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said successful a statement. "Football is made to link people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him specified a prestigious nomination. I americium grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative."
CAF president Patrice Motsepe added, "Omar Artan has made Somalia and nan full group of nan African Continent, highly proud. His receipt of nan CAF Men’s Referee of nan Year Award 2025 and his assignment arsenic a referee of nan FIFA World Cup 2026 are a nickname of his world-class refereeing expertise and nan world respect that he enjoys. I americium very thankful to my friend, Aleksander Čeferin for enabling Omar Artan to officiate nan UEFA Super Cup 2026 match. This is simply a awesome honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and is besides an fantabulous illustration of football, bringing together and uniting group from Africa and Europe and worldwide."
Referee Omar Artan of Somalia is confronted by players aft calling a punishment footwear during nan CAF Champions League last betwixt AS FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns successful Rabat, Morocco, connected May 24, 2026. (Mosa'ab Elshamy/AP)
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A Trump management charismatic said that Artan "was refused admittance and fixed migration forms that supply nan conception of rule utilized to complete an expedited removal nether 8235 of nan INA. President Trump's management will not let immoderate information threat to participate our state — afloat stop."
He returned location to Somalia connected Wednesday and thanked supporters.
"I committedness you, God willing, that I will be nan adjacent one," he said. "I want nan Somali nationalist to return comfortableness successful this and stay confident."
Somalia is 1 of astir 3 twelve countries subject to recreation restrictions under nan Trump management arsenic it has focused connected forbidden immigration. Artan was group to beryllium nan first referee from Somalia to officiate astatine nan World Cup and is among nan apical referees successful Africa.
Referee Omar Artan is welcomed by supporters upon his presence successful Mogadishu, Somalia, connected June 10, 2026, aft being denied introduction to nan United States. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/Associated Press)
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The Super Cup will return spot connected Aug. 12 betwixt UEFA Champions League champion Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League champion Aston Villa.
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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