Somali referee denied US visa gets hero’s welcome back home, vows to attend next World Cup

Summary

Hundreds of fans, government and football officials gathered at Mogadishu's airport Wednesday to welcome Omar Artan after the Somali refree was denied entry to the US for the World Cup. Somalia's dream of having its first national officiate a World Cup may have been dashed, but Artan told his supporters not to give up hope and vowed to participate in the next FIFA tournament in 2030.