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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Omar Faruk

Somali World Cup ref held for 11 hours by Trump’s border police receives hero’s welcome at home and vows to return

A World Cup referee from Somalia, Omar Artan, was met by a crowd of supporters and officials in Mogadishu on Wednesday after being denied entry to the United States.

Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup, had been included on FIFA’s final list for the tournament and was recognized as Africa’s top male referee in 2025.

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