Somali referee Omar Artan, who was prevented from officiating at the World Cup in the United States, will nonetheless receive his full tournament fee from football's governing body, Fifa. The decision ensures Artan is compensated despite being denied entry to the US after an extensive interrogation at Miami International Airport.
Artan’s ordeal began when he was questioned for 11 hours by US immigration authorities on Monday. He was subsequently informed he would not be permitted to enter the country, with his diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa being rejected. A US government official cited an alleged 'association with suspected members of terror organisations' as the reason for his denial of entry. Artan stated he was questioned about links to the Somali militant group Al Shabab, which he denied any knowledge of.
Despite possessing what he described as 'the right papers and everything', Artan expressed his profound disappointment, calling the opportunity to officiate at the World Cup 'the biggest dream of my life'. Following his re-embarkation on a flight to Turkey, Fifa officials provided assistance in Istanbul before he travelled to Mogadishu, the Somali capital.
Sources close to the situation have confirmed that Fifa has pledged to pay Artan's full salary for the tournament, even though he will not participate. The exact fees for World Cup referees are typically disclosed and paid after the tournament concludes.
In a significant development for the 34-year-old official, Artan, who was named the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men's referee of the year, has since been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup. This prestigious match, scheduled for 12th August in Salzburg, Austria, will see Paris St-Germain face Aston Villa. Artan, who had a memorable 2025 becoming the first Somali to take charge of a continental final, including the African Champions League final second leg, has publicly thanked his homeland and vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.