International Football · Thursday, June 11, 2026
Somali Referee Welcomed at Presidential Palace After World Cup Exclusion
The Somali President received international referee Omar Abdel Qadir Artan the day after his exclusion from the 2026 World Cup matches.
By Editorial team
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud received Somali international referee Omar Abdel Qadir Artan at the presidential palace in Mogadishu. This visit follows the referee's exclusion from competitions assigned for the 2026 World Cup. The presidential gesture marks national recognition toward the sports official in the face of this decision. This matter raises questions about the selection criteria for referees for the North American tournament.