FIFA to Pay Somali Referee Omar Artan His Full World Cup Fee
FIFA will pay Somali referee Omar Artan his full World Cup fee even though he was denied entry to the United States and will take no part in the tournament, the BBC reports.
S omali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will still receive his full tournament fee, the BBC reports. Sources told BBC Sport that FIFA has committed to paying his salary even though he will play no part in the tournament. Referees do not learn their exact fee, which is paid after the World Cup ends.
Denied entry in Miami
Artan was questioned for 11 hours by US immigration at Miami International Airport on Monday before being told he could not enter, after his diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa were rejected. A US government official said he was refused over an alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations". Artan said he had been asked about links to the Somali militant group Al Shabab and told officials he knew nothing about it. "I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," he said. "I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream."
Helped home, and a new appointment
After being put on a flight back to Turkey, Artan received help from FIFA officials in Istanbul before flying on to Mogadishu, where he thanked "my people and my country". The 34-year-old, named the 2025 CAF men’s referee of the year, has since been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, and has vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.
It caps a standout rise: in 2025 Artan became the first Somali to take charge of a continental final, the second leg of Pyramids’ CAF Champions League final win over Mamelodi Sundowns, refereed at the U-20 World Cup in Chile, and took charge of group games at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Reporting: based on BBC Sport, by Dale Johnson, June 14, 2026.