Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan received a triumphant welcome on Wednesday upon his return to Mogadishu, after being denied entry to the United States—an episode that ends his dream of officiating at the 2026 World Cup.

Omar Artan was among the officials selected by FIFA for the World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee to take charge on the pitch at the world’s biggest football tournament.

Despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid single-entry U.S. visa, he was refused entry into the United States upon arrival in Miami.

Back home, the referee was greeted as a hero at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport.

Thousands of people, along with government officials, sports leaders, and many citizens, turned out to show their support.