Somali match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will receive his complete tournament remuneration from FIFA, even though he has been excluded from the 2026 World Cup after US authorities prevented him from entering the country according to the BBC.
The 34-year-old, recognised as the Confederation of African Football’s men’s referee of the year in 2025, was selected among the officials for the global tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. He was set to become the first Somali referee to participate at this level.
Artan, carrying a diplomatic passport and a valid US visa, was denied entry to Miami International Airport after extensive questioning by immigration officers. US officials cited security concerns, including alleged associations with terrorist groups, which Artan denies.
In a statement following the incident, FIFA noted that it has no authority over host nation immigration policies. As a result, all match officials must be based at a central training facility in the United States, making Artan’s participation impossible.
Nevertheless, football’s governing body has decided to honour the full contractual payment for the tournament. Referees typically receive their fees after the event concludes, and the exact sums are not disclosed in advance.
Artan was rerouted via Turkey, where FIFA provided support, before returning to Mogadishu. Upon arrival, he was greeted by large crowds and government representatives, who hailed him as a national hero. Draped in the Somali flag, he expressed gratitude to his supporters and reaffirmed his passion for the sport.
Prior to this setback, Artan had built an impressive record. He officiated the second leg of the 2025 African Champions League final and handled matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
In the wake of the controversy, UEFA has invited him to referee the 2026 UEFA Super Cup fixture between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Austria next month. Artan has indicated he remains committed to his refereeing career and hopes to feature at the 2030 World Cup.