FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will receive his full tournament fee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being denied entry into the United States and missing the competition.
Artan, the 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year, was expected to make history as one of Africa’s representatives at the tournament. However, his World Cup dream was cut short after he was detained for nearly 11 hours at Miami International Airport before being refused entry into the country.
According to reports, U.S. authorities rejected his diplomatic passport and single-entry visa upon arrival. A U.S. official later claimed the decision was linked to an alleged association with suspected members of terrorist organisations, an accusation Artan has strongly denied.
The 34-year-old insisted he had travelled with the correct documentation and maintained that he had no links to any extremist groups.
“I’m simply a referee trying to live the biggest dream of my life by officiating at the World Cup,” Artan said following the incident.
Despite his exclusion, FIFA has moved to support the Somali official by guaranteeing him the full financial compensation he would have received from the tournament. The decision has been widely viewed as recognition of the extraordinary circumstances that prevented his participation.
After returning to Mogadishu, Artan received a warm welcome from supporters and football officials. The setback has done little to diminish his growing reputation in international refereeing.
In another major boost, Artan has been selected to officiate the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, providing him with an immediate opportunity to return to the global stage.
Artan enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, becoming the first Somali referee to officiate a CAF Champions League final and further enhancing his credentials with appearances at both the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.