Omar Artan packed his bags for the United States ready to make history as the first Somali referee ever to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. He never made it through the door.
Artan was reportedly denied entry into the United States ahead of the tournament, cutting short what would have been a landmark moment for Somali football. No official reason for the denial has been confirmed in the source reporting.
The news has drawn attention across the continent, where African football fans had celebrated his selection as a proud milestone. For Somalia, a country still building its presence on the global football stage, this is a painful setback wrapped around what should have been a celebration.
Whether Artan gets another shot at the world's biggest football stage remains to be seen. But his story is already bigger than a visa stamp.
Originally published by AllAfrica.