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A surprise invitation to Canada to host him
The governor of Somalia, Omar Abdelkader Arten, who was banned from entering the United States, today, Wednesday, arrived in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of sympathizers and official officials.
Omar Abdelkader was set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup match after he was named in FIFA’s final list for the tournament, after winning the continent’s best referee award in 2025.
Review from Somaliland
In Mogadishu, Abdelkader criticized the decision not to allow him to enter the USA to participate in the World Cup, describing what happened to him as “a misfortune”.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced that the United States had banned the entry of Somalia’s governor into the country because of his ties to “members suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations.”
On his part, Abdul Kadir said after his arrival. “What’s done is done, and it’s unfortunate. I am grateful for the support given to me by the International Football Federation (FIFA), and I am also grateful for the support of the people of Somalia.”
He added: “Somalia is our country, whether things are good or bad. I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country. I am now in my country and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
“I promise you, God willing, I will be at the next World Cup,” he added as hundreds of supporters waved the Somali flag at the airport.
He concluded. “I want the Somali people to rest on this and remain confident,” according to a report in The Guardian newspaper.
“I am a son of Somalia and we will defend it.” Referee Omar Arten’s first statements after arriving in Mogadishu to referee World Cup matches after being banned from entering the United States.#Al Jazeera_World Cup 26: pic.twitter.com/WDPBGCzLZh
– Al Jazeera – Sports (@AJASports) June 10, 2026
The response from FIFA and the Somali government
A FIFA spokesman said Abdelkader will now be unable to train or compete in the tournament, which starts on Thursday in Mexico City. The Somali government said it had tried in vain to negotiate with the US and FIFA to allow him to enter the US, and expressed its regret for what had happened, especially as it had given him a diplomatic passport to avoid any problems.
Omar Abdelkader received a visa to travel to the United States last week, according to the Somali Embassy in Kenya, which processed his application.
Washington last year imposed a comprehensive travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.
Canadian promise: Will Omar Abdel Kader return to the World Cup?
David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia (one of Canada’s largest provinces) announced on the X platform that he welcomes the decision made in his province. He emphasized that he should be allowed to judge the matches of the World Championship, which will be held within the scope of his authority.
Mr. Artan will be welcomed and celebrated in British Columbia for what he has overcome and where he is today. Let him referee in Vancouver. https://t.co/ynXRy0jAqY
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) June 9, 2026
“Mr. Arten is commendable and deserves to be honored in British Columbia for what he has overcome and where he is today,” he said via X. “Let’s let him referee matches in Vancouver.”
Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium will host seven World Cup matches: Australia-Turkey in Group D, Canada-Qatar in Group B, New Zealand-Egypt in Group C, Switzerland-Canada and New Zealand-Belgium, in addition to two matches, one in the Round of 32 and the other in the Round of 11.
