{
  "id": 809555,
  "title": "‘This was my World Cup’ says Somali ref after Uefa Super Cup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/this-was-my-world-cup-says-somali-ref-after-uefa-super-cup",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-13T21:24:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/08/14/this-was-my-world-cup-says-somali-ref-after-uefa-super-cup"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Somali referee Omar Artan found joy in officiating the Uefa Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa, describing it as his \"World Cup.\" The 34-year-old was denied entry to the World Cup in the United States, despite being selected by FIFA for the tournament. On Thursday, UEFA shared a photo of Artan writing \"This was my World Cup\" on the match ball. The US State Department had denied his entry due to allegations of him being associated with suspected terrorist organisations, a claim Artan denied. However, upon his return to Somalia, he was celebrated as a hero. Artan thanked UEFA, CAF, and his own confederation, CAF, for their support in a post on Instagram. UEFA justified their decision by citing an agreement signed with CAF to promote cooperation between the two confederations, a move seen as both a political gesture and a response to the ongoing conflict between UEFA and FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the abandoned plan to open up the World Cup to private investors.",
  "summary": "The 34-year-old was denied the chance to referee at the World Cup itself after being refused entry to the US.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "World Cup Play-off: Nigeria’s Super Falcons in redemption mission against South Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/world-cup-play-off-nigerias-super-falcons-in-redemption-mission",
        "published": "2026-08-13T06:21:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "South Africa vs Nigeria PREVIEW: Super Falcons face do-or-die World Cup showdown",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/south-africa-vs-nigeria-preview-super-falcons-face-do-or-die-world",
        "published": "2026-08-13T13:44:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "FCC boss urges Super Falcons to focus on World Cup ticket",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/fcc-boss-urges-super-falcons-to-focus-on-world-cup-ticket",
        "published": "2026-08-13T15:43:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Banyana to take on Nigeria in grueling World Cup qualifier playoffs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/banyana-to-take-on-nigeria-in-grueling-world-cup-qualifier-playoffs",
        "published": "2026-08-13T18:04:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "‘This was my World Cup’ says Somali ref after Uefa Super Cup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/this-was-my-world-cup-says-somali-ref-after-uefa-super-cup-811474",
        "published": "2026-08-13T21:24:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}