For just the second time, the United States, along with Canada and Mexico, will play host to the World Cup. The U.S. last hosted the event in 1994, and 77% of all World Cup host nations have reached at least the quarterfinals.

Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied a chance to make his World Cup debut after being barred from entering the United States, thanked FIFA, CAF and the ​Somali people on Tuesday as he prepared to return home.