Following the World Cup crisis, Egypt welcomes "the top Somali referee."

He continued: "If the Egyptian federation agrees, we will host Artan as soon as possible."

For his part, a source from the Egyptian federation told Agence France-Presse: "We informed Abdel Fattah of Artan's desire, and we received the letter from the Somali federation, and we have no objection to that."

He added: "We will take the necessary steps and welcome a top referee from Africa and the world to the league. We will communicate with the relevant authorities to arrange the matter legally first."

Before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the 34-year-old referee faced media pressure after U.S. authorities decided to return him from Miami Airport, despite being on the list of referees selected by FIFA to officiate matches in the tournament.

Despite FIFA's intervention, U.S. authorities prevented Artan from becoming the first Somali to officiate matches in the World Cup and insisted on deporting him.

A U.S. State Department official told Agence France-Presse that the referee was "linked to individuals suspected of connections to terrorist organizations," which made him "ineligible for entry into the United States."

The referee denied these allegations amid a wave of anger in Somalia, while Artan was welcomed as a hero upon his return to his country.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated at the time: "What happened to the Somali referee is unfortunate," adding: "We cannot control everything."

Later, UEFA decided to honor him by assigning him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, making him the first non-European referee to participate in officiating a match in this cup.

FIFA also awarded Artan a financial compensation of approximately $40,000 for the damages he suffered.

Artan is considered the first Somali referee to reach the elite category in the Confederation of African Football (CAF), having officiated the second leg of the 2025 CAF Champions League final and being named the best referee on the continent during the CAF awards ceremony in 2025.

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A source from the federation confirmed to Agence France-Presse that the Egyptian referees committee welcomed Artan's request, who was barred from officiating at the 2026 World Cup.

Abdel Fattah stated in a television interview on DMC channel that Artan contacted him to express his desire to participate in the league, adding: "I initially welcomed him, but I requested that legal procedures be taken, and then we received a letter from the Somali federation regarding the matter."

He continued: "If the Egyptian federation agrees, we will host Artan at the earliest opportunity."

For his part, a source from the Egyptian federation told Agence France-Presse: "We informed Abdel Fattah of Artan's desire, and we received the letter from the Somali federation, and we have no objection to that."

He added: "We will take the necessary steps and welcome a top referee from Africa and the world to the league. We will communicate with the relevant authorities to arrange the matter legally first."

Before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the 34-year-old referee faced media pressure after U.S. authorities decided to return him from Miami Airport, despite being on the list of referees selected by FIFA to officiate matches in the tournament.

Despite FIFA's intervention, U.S. authorities prevented Artan from becoming the first Somali to officiate matches in the World Cup and insisted on deporting him.

A U.S. State Department official told Agence France-Presse that the referee was "linked to individuals suspected of connections to terrorist organizations," which made him "ineligible for entry into the United States."

The referee denied these allegations amid a wave of anger in Somalia, while Artan was welcomed as a hero upon his return to his country.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated at the time: "What happened to the Somali referee is unfortunate," adding: "We cannot control everything."

Later, UEFA decided to honor him by assigning him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, making him the first non-European referee to participate in officiating a match in this cup.

FIFA also awarded Artan a financial compensation of approximately $40,000 for the damages he suffered.

Artan is considered the first Somali referee to reach the elite category in the Confederation of African Football (CAF), having officiated the second leg of the 2025 CAF Champions League final and being named the best referee on the continent during the CAF awards ceremony in 2025.