FIFA will ensure that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan receives his full payment for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even though he was unable to officiate due to being denied entry into the United States. Artan, aged 34, was one of the selected referees for the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. He was poised to make history as the first Somali referee at a FIFA World Cup but was turned away by U.S. immigration officials at Miami International Airport.
The decision by FIFA to compensate Artan fully for the tournament aims to prevent any financial impact on him due to the circumstances that led to his exclusion from the event. Despite holding a valid entry visa, Artan was refused admission and had to return to Istanbul before going back to Somalia. FIFA clarified that Artan’s inability to participate was due to the U.S. immigration authorities’ actions.
An adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Cisse Aden Abshir, revealed that Artan faced entry issues upon arrival in Miami and was consequently unable to enter the country. Artan, who became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018, has previously officiated at significant continental competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
