A warm welcome for Somali referee Omar Artan, who has returned to Mogadishu. Despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single-entry US visa, Artan was denied entry, shattering his dream of officiating at the FIFA World Cup.

“Every referee aspires to go to the World Cup,” Artan shared in an interview with BBC Somali last week, just before he departed from home. “When you’re selected, it feels like all your hard work has paid off. It’s a moment when everything falls into place. Years of effort finally find their meaning.”

Last year, Artan was recognised as the best male referee in Africa and officiated two matches at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). After being included in the list of FIFA match officials, he was hailed by the country’s President Hassan Mohamud as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis.”

While the Somali government is making diplomatic efforts to resolve the entry issue, Artan’s hopes of attending the World Cup seem dim as he has risen through the officiating ranks in a nation that has been marred by conflict for decades.

The US State Department informed BBC Africa that it welcomes “legitimate travelers” to the World Cup and assesses each visa application on an individual basis, following a thorough review and meticulous vetting. They also noted that “national security and public safety” play significant roles in the visa decision-making process.