00:00The United States denied the entry of Somali referee Omar Abdul-Akir Artan,
00:05one of the 52 officials appointed to officiate of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
00:11Artan had traveled with a nine-member African delegation,
00:15consistent of three referees and six assistants,
00:19and even held a special visa issued by his country to avoid immigration issues.
00:24At 33, he is considered the best referee on the African continent today
00:28and was hoping to make history at the World Cup by becoming the first Somali
00:33to referee a match in FIFA's premier international tournament.
00:38Somalia is one of 19 nations subjected to a total travel ban to the United States
00:43following proclamations issued by the Donald Trump administration.
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