Omar Artan becomes first Somali referee selected for FIFA World Cup

Thursday April 9, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali international referee Omar Abdulqadir Artan has broken new ground for his country, earning a place on the officiating roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and becoming the first Somali referee ever named to the tournament.

His selection for FIFA’s official list of match officials, ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is being hailed as a defining moment for Somali football and a rare global spotlight for the nation’s sporting ambitions.

The Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports congratulated Artan in a statement posted on social media, describing his selection as a milestone that enhances Somalia’s international sporting reputation.

“Congratulations to Referee Omar Abdulqadir Artan who has written a new history for Somali football, becoming one of the referees for the 2026 World Cup,” the ministry said.

Artan offered a brief response on his Facebook page, posting “Alhamdulillah” in a message that reflected gratitude and satisfaction at the achievement.

SFF President Ali Abdi Mohamed also welcomed the appointment, saying it was a proud moment for the country and a source of encouragement for young Somalis hoping to break into elite sport.

“Omar’s selection is a great honor for Somalia and a powerful motivation for our youth,” Ali Shiino, as he is widely known, said in a congratulatory message, wishing the referee success in fulfilling his duties with distinction at the World Cup.

Artan’s World Cup appointment adds to a remarkable run of firsts. In 2025, he became the first Somali to officiate a Confederation of African Football (CAF) continental final, handled matches at the Africa Cup of Nations and was named CAF’s Best Male Referee of the Year, all unprecedented milestones for Somali sport. Hiiraan Online later named him Person of the Year 2025 in recognition of his impact.

Born in Mogadishu during the civil war, Artan advanced through local football despite scarce resources and a system battered by decades of conflict. His progress eventually led to his inclusion on FIFA’s international referees list in 2018, placing him among a small group of Somali officials working at football’s highest level.

Somalia’s football landscape has long been marked by disruption, including inconsistent domestic competition and earlier suspensions of the national football federation, factors that limited opportunities for both referees and players to develop. Against that backdrop, Artan’s rise has come to symbolize resilience, professionalism and the slow return of Somali sport to the international stage.

His appointment to the World Cup in the United States also carries added resonance for Somali communities there, especially in Minnesota, where people have faced heightened political rhetoric and closer immigration scrutiny during President Donald Trump’s administration. For many Somali Americans, Artan’s role at the world’s most watched sporting event stands as a powerful emblem of representation, endurance and shared pride.