Somali Referee Barred From US Set to Receive Full World Cup Fee Despite Visa Denial

June 15, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States ahead of the World Cup, will receive his full tournament fee despite not taking part in the competition, football governing body FIFA has confirmed.

The decision follows his exclusion by US authorities, who said entry was refused due to alleged links to “suspected members of terror organizations.” Artan was turned back by US Customs and Border Protection and will no longer officiate at the tournament.

Artan, who was named Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025, had been set to become the first Somali official to take part in football’s global showpiece.

Despite the setback, FIFA has committed to paying his full tournament salary.

Following his return home, he was welcomed as a national figure, while European football governing body UEFA later appointed him to officiate the Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.

The case has drawn attention across the global football community, highlighting tensions between sporting bodies’ selections and immigration decisions affecting international tournament participation.