FIFA will pay Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan his full tournament fee despite his inability to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.
Artan, who was selected as one of the match officials for the tournament, was prevented from entering the United States upon arrival in Miami earlier this month. U.S. authorities cited security and vetting concerns, a decision that ended his hopes of becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.
Despite his absence from the tournament, FIFA has decided that Artan will receive the full payment due to referees selected for the competition.
According to reports, the world football governing body took the decision to ensure that the 34-year-old official does not suffer financially because of circumstances beyond his control.
Artan Denies Allegations
The referee was reportedly questioned for several hours by immigration officials before being denied entry and returned from the United States.
U.S. officials alleged that Artan had links to individuals associated with terrorist organisations. However, the Somali referee has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that he had the correct travel documents and a valid visa.
Artan described the incident as heartbreaking, saying officiating at the World Cup had been one of the biggest ambitions of his career.
FIFA Stands By Referee
Although FIFA confirmed that it could not intervene in immigration decisions made by host countries, the organisation has maintained support for Artan by guaranteeing his tournament earnings.
The amount he receives will be finalised after the World Cup, in line with FIFA’s payment structure for referees.
Artan was among the most respected officials selected for the tournament and was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
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