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France 24
France 24
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FRANCE 24

Somali referee denied US visa gets hero’s welcome back home, vows to attend next World Cup

Cover image: Referee Omar Artan is welcomed upon his arrival in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 10, 2026, after being denied a US visa. © Farah Abdi Warsameh, AP

Hundreds of fans, government and football officials gathered at Mogadishu's airport Wednesday to welcome Omar Artan after the Somali refree was denied entry to the US for the World Cup. Somalia's dream of having its first national officiate a World Cup may have been dashed, but Artan told his supporters not to give up hope and vowed to participate in the next FIFA tournament in 2030.

A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States was received by a crowd of supporters and officials Wednesday as he arrived home in the capital of Mogadishu, where he said he plans to be at the next World Cup and urged Somali youth to be proud of their country.

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