World football governing body FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will receive his full 2026 FIFA World Cup remuneration despite being unable to officiate at the tournament after being denied entry into the United States.
Artan, widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading match officials, had been selected to make history as the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. However, his dream was cut short when U.S. authorities refused him entry upon arrival in Miami, citing security-related vetting concerns.
FIFA subsequently removed him from the tournament’s list of officials, stressing that immigration decisions fall under the authority of host nations rather than the football body.
Despite the setback, FIFA has decided to honour its commitment to the award-winning referee by paying him the full fee he would have earned from the tournament.
Sources close to the matter indicated that the final amount will be determined after the World Cup concludes, in line with FIFA’s standard payment structure for match officials.
The decision has been welcomed across the football community as recognition of Artan’s achievements and professionalism.
The 2025 African Referee of the Year had undergone months of preparation for the World Cup and was expected to be one of Africa’s representatives at the global showpiece.
Although he will not feature at the World Cup, Artan’s international career continues to flourish. In a strong show of support, UEFA recently appointed the Somali official to referee the upcoming UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August, ensuring he remains on the biggest stages of world football.
Back home in Somalia, Artan received a hero’s welcome upon his return to Mogadishu, with supporters, football officials and government representatives celebrating his achievements and the pride he has brought to the nation.
His rise from domestic Somali football to the highest levels of international officiating has been hailed as an inspiration for young referees across Africa.
While the controversy surrounding his exclusion has sparked debate globally, FIFA’s decision to award him his full World Cup salary ensures that Artan’s historic achievement and contribution to the game are duly recognised, even in his absence from football’s biggest tournament.
