Somali FIFA referee Omar Artan honoured in Nairobi

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the first Somali referee selected for a FIFA World Cup, was honored in Nairobi after being denied entry into the United States for the 2026 tournament. Artan received a hero’s welcome on Friday at BBS Mall in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, attended by government officials, football administrators, diplomats and members of the Somali community. FIFA had selected him among an elite panel of 52 match officials, making him the first Somali referee to earn a World Cup appointment. Kenyan Football Federation (FKF) officials and Somali community leaders praised his resilience, including Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who said his selection already secured his place in history. Artan said he remains focused on future assignments, including the UEFA Super Cup later this August in Austria, and encouraged African youth not to abandon ambitions after setbacks.