By: Joshua FreemanThursday June 11, 2026
Mayor Olivia Chow speaks at an event on May 19, 2026.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says a Somali referee barred from entering the United States for World Cup duties would be welcome in Toronto instead, adding a new Canadian voice to a growing debate over the decision.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali national scheduled to referee at the World Cup was found inadmissible for entry into the U.S.
“During processing, the traveller underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,” CBP said in a statement.
“Following inspection, the traveller, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.”
The agency did not identify the referee, but Omar Artan is the only World Cup referee from Somalia.
In a statement Tuesday, Chow said the decision to block Artan from entering the U.S. was unjust.
“Denying entry to Omar Artan, who has earned his place on the world stage through hard work and perseverance, is not right,” Chow said.
“Toronto believes in fairness, inclusion, and giving talent the opportunity to shine. He would be welcome to referee here in our city,” she said. “I will be writing to FIFA to let them know he is welcome to referee here.”
Chow would not be in a position to know the basis for the U.S. government’s ruling on Artan’s admissibility.
Any decision on whether someone can enter Canada is made by the federal government, not city hall.
CBP said “admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection.”
FIFA said the choice of who enters host countries ultimately rests with those countries.
Artan responded in a statement of his own, saying he is staying focused despite the setback.
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” he said.
British Columbia Premier David Eby also commented, saying Artan would be “welcomed and celebrated” in his province “for what he’s overcome and where he is today.”
“Let’s have him referee in Vancouver,” Eby said in a social media post on Tuesday.
Ontario Opposition Leader Marit Stiles echoed that view.
“Omar Artan earned his place on the world stage. With matches coming to Toronto, let’s make sure he is welcomed to referee at BMO field,” Stiles said in a social media post.
With files from The Associated Pres
