CAF boss Motsepe speaks for first time after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied US entry
By Joel Masibo, July 23, 2026The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has spoken publicly for the first time about the controversy surrounding Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, whose dream of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an unexpected end after he was denied entry into the United States.
Artan had been selected to become the first Somali official to referee at football’s biggest tournament. However, despite possessing a valid visa, he was refused entry on arrival at Miami International Airport after US immigration officials raised unspecified “vetting concerns.”
FIFA later confirmed that Artan would not take part in the World Cup, explaining that immigration decisions remain the responsibility of the host nation. The move attracted strong criticism from across the football world, with many arguing that it undermined fairness and recognition earned through sporting merit.
Motsepe expresses support for Artan
Addressing journalists in South Africa on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Motsepe admitted he was deeply touched by the referee’s experience and the disappointment of seeing his World Cup opportunity disappear.
He recalled how thrilled Artan had been when he learned of his World Cup appointment, describing it as a proud achievement not only for the official but also for African football.
Following his exclusion from the global tournament, UEFA handed Artan another historic opportunity by appointing him to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The appointment makes him the first African referee to oversee a major European club final.
Motsepe thanked UEFA for recognising Artan’s abilities and for giving him the chance to officiate one of Europe’s biggest matches.
“I was emotional when I heard what the Somali referee, Omar, said to me. I was also emotional when he got excited because we said to him, ‘You are now going to be a referee of the biggest club competition in Europe.’ I want to thank UEFA for the discussions and the opportunity,” Patrice Motsepe said.
Respecting national immigration laws
While expressing disappointment over the outcome, the CAF chief stressed that every sovereign country has the right to determine who is allowed to enter its borders under its own immigration laws.
He added that CAF’s responsibility was to continue supporting Artan and ensuring he felt appreciated despite the unfortunate setback.
“I’m clear in my mind because the circumstances in which a country allows a person to enter or not are a sovereign issue. They have their laws, and it is my duty to make sure we support him. We are proud of him, and we recognised him. People keep supporting him, and that’s what is important.”
Motsepe defends Infantino
The CAF president also shared his views on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, saying he prefers to assess individuals based on their overall character instead of isolated mistakes.
Motsepe noted that everyone is capable of errors but praised Infantino for his commitment to football, highlighting his efforts to grow the sport globally and his continued backing of football development initiatives across Africa.