MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States was received by a crowd of supporters and officials Wednesday as he arrived in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu,

The World Cup referees are hand-selected by FIFA and must pass a series of physical tests and skills courses, while also abiding by strict rules. Here are some surprising details you didn’t know about World Cup referees.

Things after the USA-Belgium game keep on becoming the story of the day every few hours. After Folarin Balogun’s red card controversy and getting slammed 4-1 by Belgium in the Round of 16, FIFA has taken action against the USMNT by suspending 2 of its staff members.

Somali referee Omar Artan won't officiate in the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been denied entry after arriving to Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan was set to become the first Somalian to referee at a World Cup, but he was turned away at Miami International Airport on Saturday.

For soccer players, the focus is simple — run, defend, and score. And for soccer fans, it’s about the scores and the stars on the pitch.

Since Egypt’s dramatic World Cup exit on Tuesday, French referee Francois Letexier has become the target of intense scrutiny around the globe. Argentina came back from a 2-0 deficit to win after Letexier controversially disallowed an Egyptian second-half goal.

How fit do you need to be to referee a World Cup match? The sprints, heat and pressure behind the tough officiating job.