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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Via AP news wire

Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero's welcome

World Cup United States Fifa Omar Artan Mogadishu Somalia a World Cup
WCup Ref Denied Entry Soccer - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States arrived Wednesday in Somali’s capital of Mogadishu, where he was received by a crowd of supporters and officials.

Omar Artan was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.

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