FIFA To Make Full Payment To Somali Referee Omar Artan Despite World Cup Ban

Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full FIFA tournament fee despite being denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Naija News reports that the decision comes after the official was turned away by US immigration authorities upon arrival at Miami International Airport earlier this week.

Artan, 34, was questioned for 11 hours before being informed that he would not be allowed into the country. His diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa were rejected, ending his hopes of officiating at the tournament.

A US government official reportedly cited an alleged “association with suspected members of terror organisations” as the reason for the decision.

The award-winning official said border agents questioned him about links to Somali militant group Al Shabab, allegations he firmly denied.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” said Artan. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.” After being placed on a flight to Turkey, Artan received assistance from FIFA officials in Istanbul before returning to Mogadishu.

Although he will play no role at the World Cup, sources told BBC Sport that FIFA has committed to paying Artan’s salary in full. Naija News gathered that referees are typically informed of their final remuneration only after the tournament ends.

Artan’s setback comes after a remarkable rise in African football officiating. Named the Confederation of African Football’s men’s referee of the year in 2025, he became the first Somali official to oversee a continental final when he handled the second leg of Pyramids FC’s CAF Champions League final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.

He also officiated three matches at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile and later worked at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Artan has since been appointed to referee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August and says he remains determined to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.