Progressive politicians in Canada and the Islamic terrorist group Al-Shabaab have condemned the United States for denying entry to Omar Artan, a Somali-born FIFA World Cup 2026 referee with alleged ties to the terrorist group.

“Denying entry to Omar Artan, who has earned his place on the world stage through hard work and perseverance, is not right,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement. “Toronto believes in fairness, inclusion, and giving talent the opportunity to shine. He would be welcome to referee here in our city. I will be writing to FIFA to let them know he is welcome to referee here.”

Similarly, British Columbia Premier David Eby wrote on X that “Mr. Artan would be welcomed and celebrated in British Columbia for what he’s overcome and where he is today. Let’s have him referee in Vancouver.”

While the Department of Homeland Security has not stated the extent of Artan’s ties to the terrorist group, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection told Newsweek that “during processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,” and after “inspection,” Artan was “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.”

Rob Bluey, executive editor of the Daily Signal, supports DHS’ caution, posting on X, “I’d rather have strong vetting than the alternative.”

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