Somali referee Omar Artan returned to Mogadishu after being denied entry to the United States ahead of the World Cup. Omar Artan was expected to officiate at the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. His removal from the referee roster followed the entry denial, which was reportedly linked to unspecified security concerns. The decision drew attention after FIFA had previously included him in its final list, and he was later named Africa’s best male referee in 2025. In Mogadishu, Artan was greeted by hundreds of supporters and officials, where he urged young people to remain proud and confident about their country.
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