FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will receive his full tournament remuneration despite being unable to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The decision comes as a gesture of goodwill toward the 34-year-old official, who made history as the first Somali referee selected to officiate at a FIFA World Cup and was named the 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year.
Although Artan was removed from FIFA’s list of World Cup match officials, the governing body has decided he will receive the financial compensation he would have earned during the competition. The exact amount remains under calculation because final payments for referees are typically determined after the tournament based on their assigned duties and commitments.
Artan’s World Cup dream came to an abrupt end after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul, where he was subjected to an 11-hour screening process by U.S. border authorities.
Despite travelling with a valid single-entry visa and a diplomatic passport, CBP officials ultimately deemed him inadmissible due to unspecified “vetting concerns.”
A U.S. government official later indicated that the decision was linked to alleged concerns regarding possible associations with suspected members of regional terrorist organizations. During questioning, Artan denied any knowledge of or connection to such individuals.
FIFA acknowledged the disappointment of the situation but reiterated that it does not have authority over the immigration policies or border decisions of host nations. The possibility of relocating Artan’s assignments to Canada or Mexico was considered impractical, as all 2026 World Cup match officials were required to complete their pre-tournament training programme at the officials’ base camp in Miami.
In a positive development following his exclusion from the World Cup, UEFA has moved to recognise Artan’s achievements by appointing him to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.
While the World Cup opportunity was lost, FIFA’s financial gesture and UEFA’s appointment represent significant recognition of Artan’s standing within international football and offer the Somali official a chance to continue making history on the global stage.
