MOGADISHU — Somalia is preparing a large public reception for internationally recognized football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who is expected to arrive in Mogadishu on Tuesday morning, officials and organizers said.
Artan, who was named Africa’s Best Male Referee in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), had been selected by FIFA for officiating duties at the 2026 World Cup, a move that would have marked a first for Somalia.
However, his exclusion from the tournament after being denied entry into the United States has drawn widespread attention and debate within Somali political and sporting circles.
Authorities and community leaders in Mogadishu are calling for a coordinated reception at either Aden Adde International Airport or the city stadium area, with expected participation from government officials, opposition figures, civil society groups, and football supporters.
The event is being described by organizers as a national, non-political moment of unity celebrating Somali representation in international football.
The Banadir Regional Administration, together with district authorities, is expected to coordinate security, traffic management, and crowd control measures ahead of the arrival.
Officials have been urged to prepare managed access routes, deploy security personnel, and regulate large gatherings expected across the city.
Organizers have urged Somalia’s political leadership to participate jointly in the reception, saying the event is a national moment rather than a political one, and that Artan’s career represents resilience and international recognition for Somali sport.
Citizens are being encouraged to document the event through photos and social media posts, while supporters plan to display English-language banners including messages such as “We Stand With Omar Artan” and “Proud of Somali Referees.”
According to former Banadir regional security and political deputy chairman Ali Wardheere, widely known as Ali Yare, the reception should be treated as a unified national event reflecting public support.
Artan’s rise from domestic Somali football to FIFA-level officiating has been widely praised as a milestone for Somali sport and young African referees.
His removal from World Cup participation has also sparked broader debate on immigration policy and its impact on international sporting events.
The planned reception is expected to draw significant crowds and attention in Mogadishu, and is being viewed by many as both a celebration of sporting success and a test of national unity.
