… tween making sure that any bad actors that...try to come into the country under the guise of the World Cup will not get access to the United States," he added. -'For very good reason'- Artan, who in 2025 was named men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football …
… old AFP late Tuesday that the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations", therefore "making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States".Artan, who in 2025 was named men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football …
… Artan, who was named referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, has been dropped from FIFA's list of officials after he was refused entry to the United States on arriving in Miami on Saturday.Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list intr …
… Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged," he told journalists.Artan, who was named the 2025 men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, would have been the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup. …
… A source at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) told AFP on Tuesday that the continental body could not intervene, but added: "We certainly feel sorry for Artan." Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administratio …
… A source at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) told AFP on Tuesday that the continental body could not intervene, but added: "We certainly feel sorry for Artan."Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration …
… He has also officiated at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Algeria, and in 2025 he was named by the Confederation of African Football as men's referee of the year. …
Audio By VocalizeGor Mahia star Enock Morrison has hinted that he cannot wait to play in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League next season. …
… At the end of January, the Confederation of African Football imposed disciplinary sanctions on both national federations for unsporting conduct and violations of the principles of fair play. …
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed that construction of training pitches at Talanta Stadium is underway as part of infrastructure preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The stadium's total specialised training grounds will rise to three following the handover of two pitches to the Ministry of Defence.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed that construction of training pitches at Talanta Stadium is underway as part of infrastructure preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The stadium's total specialised training grounds will rise to three following the handover of two pitches to the Ministry of Defence.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has confirmed that infrastructure preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations at Talanta Stadium are on track, with two training pitches handed over to the Ministry of Defence for construction, bringing the total specialised training grounds to three.
South Africa's xenophobic violence against migrants and protests demanding undocumented immigrants depart have sparked widespread anger across the region, with African fans withdrawing support for the team at the 2026 World Cup, as seen in Kenyan sports bars where spectators cheered the country's opponents.
Cecafa has rejected the Football Kenya Federation's appeal and replaced Kenya's Junior Starlets' 16-0 win over Sudan in the CECAFA Under 17 Women's Championship with a 3-0 walkover after the match was abandoned when Sudan was reduced to six players due to injuries.
Football Kenya Federation has launched an official protest against CECAFA's decision to replace Kenya's 16-0 win over Sudan with a 3-0 walkover in the CECAFA Under-17 Women's Championship, arguing Kenya was not responsible for the match abandonment and should not be penalized.
The Football Kenya Federation has lodged a formal protest after CECAFA overturned Kenya's 16–0 victory over Sudan in the CECAFA Under-17 Women's Championship and replaced it with a 3–0 walkover, citing FIFA regulations that required the match to be abandoned when Sudan dropped below the minimum seven players.
Sports Kenya confirmed that Eldoret's Kipchoge Keino Stadium, currently 45 percent complete after over a decade of construction, will function as either an alternative venue or training facility for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The Director General said construction will be finished by December, with test matches planned for January.
Elias Makori, a veteran journalist and former Head of Media Operations for the African Nations Championship 2025, has announced he is stepping away from any involvement in the preparations and delivery of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, citing his experience from the previous championship.
Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an excellent and experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football competition.
UEFA appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. Artan was previously denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, and UEFA's appointment was announced as part of a cooperation accord with the African confederation.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold a rare press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, facing tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has barred a top African referee, fans, and team officials from entering the country.
Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup finals, was barred from entering the United States and returned to Mogadishu, where he pledged to participate in the next World Cup in 2030 despite the rejection.
The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some Iranian team support staff. A US State Department official said the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for US entry.
Somalia's government expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and barred from officiating at the World Cup finals. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations," making him ineligible for admission.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to face questions about ticket prices and US immigration restrictions that have barred a top African referee, fans and team officials from entering the country.
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The US Customs and Border Protection said he was denied entry following a routine inspection, despite diplomatic engagement between Somalia, FIFA, and US authorities.
FIFA confirmed that award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States and will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Had he participated, Artan would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup; FIFA said it has no authority over host-country immigration decisions.
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The government reaffirmed "unwavering support" for Artan, expressing full confidence in his integrity and professionalism, though diplomatic efforts with US authorities and FIFA did not achieve a positive outcome.
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first from his country to officiate at World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. Somalia is on a travel ban list under President Donald Trump's administration, though Artan held a valid US visa.
Gor Mahia renewed their sponsorship deal with paint manufacturer Plascon Kenya for three years worth Sh30 million. The club also received a Sh1 million bonus for winning the 22nd Premier League title, with midfielder Enock Morrison expressing confidence ahead of next season's CAF Champions League.
The 2026 FIFPRO Africa General Assembly brought together 30 player unions and CAF in Nairobi for discussions on player welfare, with Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed calling for protection of players' financial security, health, and post-football planning.
Kenyan referee Josephine Wanjiku has been selected by CAF to officiate at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where she and compatriot Elizabeth Njoroge are among 18 centre referees chosen for the tournament. Wanjiku described the selection as "immense pride" and recognition at Africa's women's football grandest stage.
A group of Senegalese football supporters jailed after their country's Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January returned home Sunday following a royal pardon by King Mohammed VI granted on humanitarian grounds during Eid al-Adha. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye welcomed the fans upon arrival at Dakar airport.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned Senegalese football supporters jailed after violence at the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat, citing "humanitarian reasons" and the fraternal ties between the two countries on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned Senegalese football supporters jailed after violence at the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat on humanitarian grounds and in view of ties between the two countries. The pardon is expected to apply to 15 Senegalese fans remaining incarcerated after receiving sentences ranging from six months to one year.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations—have automatic qualification to the finals but will still participate in the qualification campaign, according to CAF clarification.
Kenya's Harambee Stars have been placed in Group D of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea, following the draw in Cairo. Though Kenya has already secured automatic qualification as a co-host, the qualifiers will test the team's readiness ahead of the tournament, with head coach Benni McCarthy facing an emotional fixture against his former country South Africa.
Kenya's Football Kenya Federation is in turmoil as president Hussein Mohamed contests his suspension by the National Executive Committee on April 24, while deputy McDonald Mariga has assumed acting presidency. The dispute threatens the country's ability to host the African Cup of Nations in June 2027 and poses risks to compliance with continental and world football bodies.
Kenya's national football team faces South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea in Group D of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which run from September 2026 to March 2027. The draw sets up an emotional reunion for Kenya coach Benni McCarthy, who was South Africa's all-time leading scorer and won the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto in 2004.