In a remarkable tale of perseverance and determination, a Somali referee is making history as the first from his country to be selected for the prestigious World Cup. Abdiwali Ahmed, who hails from the war-torn city of Mogadishu, has overcome incredible obstacles to achieve his dream of officiating the world's most-watched sporting event. However, his journey has been marked by unexpected twists, including a shocking setback at the US border, where he was barred from entering the country. As Ahmed navigates this latest challenge, fans and supporters worldwide are rallying behind him, eager to see if he will ultimately make it to the World Cup pitch.
The first Somali picked to referee a World Cup rose from Mogadishu's pitches, only to be barred at the US border.