Hero’s welcome for Omar Artan after Somali’s World Cup dreams dashed

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionWorld CupVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomySportHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftTrendingUS-Israel war on IranWorld Cup 2026Tracking Israel's ceasefire violationsRussia-Ukraine warDonald Trumpcaret-rightToggle PlayHero's welcome for Omar Artan after Somali's World Cup dreams dashed Somali referee Omar Artan was blocked from entering the US, where he was set to become the first Somali to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. Despite the setback, he returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu, with many saying his impact and legacy are only just beginning. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoMore from the same showGwyneth Paltrow’s Israeli real estate ad goes viralVideo Duration 01 minutes 51 seconds play-arrow01:51First image in months emerges of Dr. Hussam Abu SafiaVideo Duration 01 minutes 01 seconds play-arrow01:01‘I love the inflation’ US President Trump dismisses price concernsVideo Duration 01 minutes 16 seconds play-arrow01:16Israeli strike on a car kills two in Sidon, LebanonVideo Duration 00 minutes 33 seconds play-arrow00:33Trump: “we’re working… to make sure the right people come in”Video Duration 00 minutes 32 seconds play-arrow00:32Iran says it will ‘not hesitate’ to defend itself after latest clashesVideo Duration 01 minutes 15 seconds play-arrow01:15Trump warns of more attacks on Iran after US Apache helicopter downingVideo Duration 01 minutes 07 seconds play-arrow01:07AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: