14.06.2026 17:40
Somali referee Omar Artan will be paid by FIFA despite being denied entry to the US, where he was set to officiate at the World Cup, due to border officials citing "ties to individuals linked to terrorist organizations."
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was unable to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to being denied entry to the USA, has been informed that he will receive the full tournament fee.
HE WILL BE PAID HIS EARNED FEE FOR THE TOURNAMENT
According to a BBC report, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) decided that Artan will receive the full fee he earned for the tournament, despite not being able to officiate at the World Cup.
"TIES WITH INDIVIDUALS LINKED TO TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS"
Artan, who traveled to the USA to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry to the country after being questioned for approximately 11 hours by US immigration officials at Miami International Airport. Stopped at Miami International Airport in the USA, Artan was not allowed into the country after a lengthy interrogation and returned to Somalia via Istanbul. US officials cited allegations of "links with individuals believed to be members of terrorist organizations" as the reason for denying the Somali referee entry into the country.
HE DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS
Artan denied the allegations against him and stated that he had all necessary documents and a valid visa. Artan, the first Somali referee selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, expressed in a statement upon his return to his country that he will continue to aim to officiate at the next World Cup.
HE WAS NAMED AFRICA'S BEST REFEREE
Artan, 34, who was named "Africa's Best Referee" by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2025, also officiated in the same year at the African Champions League final and the FIFA U-20 World Cup.