Somali referee denied US entry to receive full World Cup fee
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- Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full World Cup officiating fee despite being denied entry to the United States.
- The award-winning official was unable to participate in the tournament after being refused entry upon arrival in Miami.
Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full payment for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being unable to officiate at the tournament after being denied entry to the United States, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly, said Artan will remain entitled to the same tournament compensation as other selected officials.
The final amount is expected to be determined after the World Cup concludes next month.
Artan, one of Africa's most respected referees, arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul last week but was denied entry by US authorities. Details surrounding the decision have not been publicly disclosed.
The Somali official had been selected to take part in the nearly six-week tournament, marking a significant milestone in his refereeing career.
Artan's selection came after a standout year in which he was named Africa's best male referee for 2025. He has overseen major continental and international matches and is widely regarded as one of the region's leading officials.
His absence from the World Cup drew attention within the football community, particularly given his recent achievements and status among African referees.
While Artan will not officiate any matches during the tournament, the decision to provide him with full compensation ensures he will not face a financial penalty resulting from the travel and entry issue.
Officials have not indicated whether any further review of the circumstances surrounding his denied entry is planned.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues across host venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with referees from around the world overseeing matches throughout the competition.
