Ref Artan receives hero's welcome after World Cup exclusion

Referee Omar Artan thanked "my people and my country" after being welcomed home in style in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

The 34-year-old - Africa's referee of the year in 2025 - was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.

He arrived back home at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu where he was greeted by government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation, as well as fellow referees and local residents.

Artan has vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.