Omar Abdulkadir Artan left Somalia as a symbol of progress, poised to become the country’s first referee at a men’s World Cup. He returned as something more powerful: a national hero whose dream was blocked at the border of the very tournament he had worked his life to reach.

Artan, widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading match officials and honoured as the continent’s Referee of the Year, was stopped by US authorities after landing in Miami, despite holding a valid visa issued for World Cup duty. He was interrogated for hours before being denied entry on what officials later described as a “vetting concern” linked to alleged associations with suspected members of terrorist organisations. No evidence was made public.

From Miami he was put on a flight back to Turkey, and then on to Mogadishu. At Aden Adde International Airport, the mood was defiant and jubilant. Hundreds of fans, Somali Football Federation officials and government representatives crowded the arrivals hall, chanting his name and waving flags as Artan emerged, visibly tired but composed.

“I want to thank FIFA for supporting me all the way, and Somali people also,” he told reporters. “I am very grateful for FIFA and for CAF. This is what I have to say.”

Somali FA president Ali Abdi Mohamed called the decision a grave injustice. He said Artan had “earned the right to officiate at the highest levels of world football, and truly deserved the opportunity,” framing the episode as a blow not only to one man but to a country striving to reassert itself on the global stage.

The case has ignited international debate over security policy and discrimination in World Cup hosting. A Canadian provincial leader publicly invited Artan to officiate matches in Vancouver, but with the referees’ base camp in Miami and travel restrictions in place, his participation in the tournament appears effectively blocked.

FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have stressed that visa and entry decisions rest with host governments, while insisting they have been in contact with Artan throughout. Critics argue that is not enough.

Former England striker Ian Wright was among those condemning the situation, describing a pattern of fans, players, officials and journalists being turned away and calling this edition of the tournament “a World Cup of chaos.”