Somali referee Omar Artan will still receive his full FIFA World Cup match fee despite being denied entry into the United States, following an immigration incident that prevented him from officiating at the tournament.
Artan was detained and questioned for around 11 hours at Miami International Airport before US authorities ultimately refused him entry. His diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa were reportedly rejected, bringing his World Cup assignment to an abrupt end.
A US government official later cited alleged concerns over “association with suspected members of terror organisations” as the basis for the decision. Artan, however, has strongly denied any wrongdoing, stating that he has no links to any militant groups.
“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan said. “I’m just simply a referee who is trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”
After being returned on a flight to Turkey, the referee received assistance from FIFA officials in Istanbul before travelling back to Mogadishu.
Despite his inability to take part in the tournament, FIFA has confirmed that Artan will be paid in full for his World Cup appointment, according to sources familiar with the arrangement. Referees typically receive their tournament fees after completion of the competition, and the exact amount is not disclosed beforehand.
Artan’s case has drawn attention within global football officiating circles, particularly given his rising profile. In 2025, he was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year, becoming the first Somali to officiate a continental final.
His recent career highlights include officiating the second leg of the CAF Champions League final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he took charge of three games including the third-place playoff.
He also handled two group-stage fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations, continuing his steady rise on the international refereeing stage.
Following his return to Somalia, Artan received a warm welcome and expressed gratitude to supporters, while reaffirming his ambition to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.
Despite the setback in the United States, he has since been invited to referee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, offering a swift return to elite international football.
