Apdirizak Ahmed

@francescaDM_EU Well said, Ambassador! Europe has once again proven to be a sound and dependable partner for Somalia. Thank you, UEFA, for giving Omar Artan the stage he truly deserves. This means a lot to all of us! 🇪🇺🇸🇴

From one missed opportunity to the next! Congratulations to Omar Artan, Somalia’s talented and prized referee. Europe is a sound and reliable partner 😉

@OmarArtand1 Fake account

We sincerely thank FIFA, UEFA, and all those around the world who supported Omar Artan. His appointment to officiate the UEFA Super Cup Final is a well-deserved recognition of his professionalism, resilience, and dedication to the game.

@UEFA @EuropaLeague A historic moment for Somali football! Thank you, UEFA, for giving Omar Artan this incredible and well-deserved opportunity. We are incredibly proud! 🇸🇴👏⚽" #SuperCup #OmarArtan #UEFA

@FabrizioRomano Massive respect to UEFA for standing by talent! Omar Artan deserves the global stage, and officiating the Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa is the perfect response. Go shine, Omar! 👏🇸🇴 #SuperCup #OmarArtan #UEFA

🚨🇸🇴 UEFA announce Omar Artan to referee UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa in August after being denied access to the USA.

🏆 Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup! We're pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg.

I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support, encouragement, and kind messages I have received from people around the world. Your solidarity has reminded me that football unites us beyond borders. Thank you to everyone.

@FIFAcom @FIFAWorldCup It is shameful to see you announcing match officials while Omar Artan, your own CAF 2025 Best Referee, is being unfairly blocked from the US. Where is the justice? He earned his spot through struggle and merit—he doesn’t deserve to be turned away. Grant him entry! 🇸🇴🚫 #omarartan

@FIFAcom @FIFAWorldCup While the world celebrates the FIFA World Cup, Somalia celebrates the return of our hero, Omar Artan, back to Mogadishu. A true professional and pride of our nation. We wish the best for the tournament, but we are proud of our own. 🇸🇴⚽️ #OmarArtan #Somalia #WorldCup2026"

@WorldCupMedia When I think of the World Cup, I think of elite professionals like our own Omar Artan. Despite the challenges, he is the pride of Somalia and a true hero of the game. Respect to the man who just returned to Mogadishu with his head held high! 🇸🇴⚽️

When you think of the World Cup, who is the first player that comes to mind? 🏆💬

One day to go… @FIFAWorldCup 2026 ⏳🤩

Welcome home, Omar Artan! We are proud of your professionalism and integrity. You remain a symbol of excellence for all Somalis. Ku soo dhowoow dalkaaga hooyo. 🇸🇴⚽️ OmarArtan #Soomaaliya #Mogadishu #SomaliPride #JusticeForOmarArtan #Football

@AliMawlid36825 This is Real Qadaad ween😂

Qadadwayn af English maxa lagu dhaha kkkk

@InaCigaal This marqaan is crazy lol😂

@haadka Somaliland is part of Somalia. Using Omar Artan for your political agenda is pathetic. Stop the propaganda and respect a professional who represents us all.🇸🇴

Somalilanders owe the Somalian referee nothing. - Omar opposed Somaliland’s independence. - Somalia and CAF block 6 million Somalilanders from FIFA. - Somalia has even used its recognition to block Somalilanders with Western passports from going home. So yes; call it karma. But don’t waste your time celebrating one man’s humiliation. If you care about sport, build Somaliland sport. If you care about excellence, build this nation. Mockery is cheap. Nation-building is our real revenge.

@DailyMail Having a valid visa yet being denied entry is pure discrimination. Omar Artan is an elite pro—this treatment is shameful and reeks of prejudice. End this injustice now! 🚫⚽️ #JusticeForOmarArtan"

Kicked out! Top African referee denied entry to US then sent home to Somalia - despite having 'the right visa' trib.al/995FLHx

@RepOfSomaliland Spreading old, out-of-context posts to justify discrimination against a Somali professional is a new low. This page is peddling fake narratives to divide us, but Somaliland is and remains part of Somalia Omar Artan is a pride for ALL Somalis, and your pathetic sabotage won't work

The irony writes itself. Referee Omar Artan previously posted on Facebook blasting the corrupt Mogadishu government for handing out Somalian diplomatic passports to TikTokers, random civilians, and cronies in exchange for cash or political favors people with zero official government roles. A few months later, he conveniently obtained a diplomatic passport for himself ahead of the World Cup. US Customs denial of entry is standard border vetting in action. When your own credibility and documentation raise red flags, entry gets rejected. Actions have consequences.

"Its not a world cup if you don't allow the world to come in!" Former referee, Christina Unkel, SLAMS decision to refuse Omar Artan entry to the US! @tSHandJ

Fotball skal samle mennesker, ikke ekskludere dem. Det er trist når noen som har jobbet hardt for å nå verdens største fotballscene, blir hindret av forhold utenfor sin kontroll. Respekt, likeverd og inkludering må gjelde for alle. Fotball bygger broer. ❤️ @Ref_Artan @nff_info

As a World Cup host, the U.S. shouldn't be flippantly barring officials from entering the country to do their jobs. It's terribly backward. It's also counterproductive. Global sports competitions should improve international exchange and relations, not the reverse.