Somali referee Omar Artan has broken his silence on what he described as a "very tough period" — a stretch of time that should have marked the pinnacle of his officiating career but instead left him on the outside looking in.

Artan, who had been selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from taking up one of the sport's most coveted roles at the game's biggest stage.

Despite the painful setback, Artan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Super Cup, viewing it as a chance to continue doing what he loves at the highest level.

The Somali official described the period surrounding his U.S. entry ban as among the most difficult of his life, coming at a moment when he had every reason to celebrate a landmark achievement in his career.

His story has drawn attention to the wider challenges faced by officials from African nations who qualify for the sport's grandest events, only to encounter administrative or political obstacles that threaten their participation.