Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Morgan Ofori

The most inclusive World Cup ever? Tell that to Omar Artan, the Somali referee just banned by Trump’s US

Omar Artan United States Fifa World Cup Omar Abdulkadir Artan Donald Trump The Long Wave a World Cup
Somali referee Omar Artan during the CAF Champions League final between AS FAR and Mamelodi Sundowns in Rabat, Morocco, 24 May 2026.
Somali referee Omar Artan during the CAF Champions League final between AS FAR and Mamelodi Sundowns in Rabat, Morocco, 24 May 2026. Photograph: Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP

Omar Abdulkadir Artan was supposed to make history this week, becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup. Instead, he’s watching from outside the US, denied entry without explanation by the Trump administration. Welcome to the most inclusive World Cup ever.

Fifa, the game’s governing body, is projecting revenues of $8.9bn (£6.7bn) from this tournament – almost double what the 2024 Olympics made. More teams: 48, up from 32. More matches: 104 over 39 days. More markets, just how they like it. This is good business.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Why Is There So Much Liquid in Packaged Chicken?
If you have ever opened a package of raw chicken and found a puddle of liquid inside, you are not alone. The amount can sometimes be surprising, especially when the chicken looks like it is sitting in water. However, that liquid does not necessarily mean the chicken is spoiled or…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
LeBron James is everything Philadelphia wants. And everything it can’t stand
The city has embraced its new superstar with open arms, even as he choppers in from Manhattan and makes no secret of the fact that Philadelphia was never his first choice
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Geordie Greep denies sexual assault allegations from stage in Vancouver
While some heard the former Black Midi frontman out, others made for the exit as he addressed accusations
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
A woman goes to pour Walmart chicken broth dated 2027, but something is clogging the spout: ‘What the heck is that?’
That’s not how broth pours.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
A man buys three limited-edition BrüMate cups at Target after two failed trips, then says a woman stopped him on the way out and demanded them back
Didn't see that coming.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
‘He was just a baby’: A cat owner says his hair-loss treatment cost him his 2-year-old cat, and he’s warning others about minoxidil
Should come with a warning label.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play