2026 World Cup: Triumphant welcome in Mogadishu for the best African referee denied entry to the USA

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan received a triumphant welcome in Mogadishu after being denied entry to the US, which prevented his historic participation in the 2026 World Cup. He was questioned for eleven hours and then deported; Washington claims suspicions of ties to terrorist organizations, which he denies. The Premier of British Columbia unsuccessfully attempted to facilitate his entry via Canada. The incident has sparked debate about migration policies ahead of the World Cup.