Somali referee Omar Artan was welcomed by hundreds of supporters in Mogadishu after being denied entry to the United States and removed from the 2026 World Cup officials list. Artan vowed to return for the next tournament.
Somalia's World Cup referee returns home to hero's welcome after US entry denial
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Story Timeline
Mon 21:30 - Al Jazeera English
US confirms it denied entry to Somali referee set to take part in World Cup
Tue 04:37 - Al Jazeera English
FIFA drops Somali World Cup referee after US denies him entry
Tue 12:34 - Euronews
Somali referee Omar Artan axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US
Tue 14:43 - France 24
Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US
Tue 17:55 - BBC Headlines
Does referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup?
Tue 20:01 - France 24
Trump immigration stance 'clashes against reality of what is needed to stage a truly global event'
Wed 03:57 - Al Jazeera English
Somalia criticises US decision to bar World Cup referee
Wed 10:06 - Euronews
Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan receives warm welcome home after being denied entry to US
Wed 11:56 - France 24
Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero's welcome
Wed 13:30 - France 24
Somali referee denied US visa gets hero’s welcome back home, vows to attend next World Cup
Wed 20:00 - Euronews
Somalia's World Cup referee returns home to hero's welcome after US entry denial