Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will receive his full tournament payment from FIFA despite being unable to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after U.S. authorities denied him entry into the country, according to a source familiar with the matter, Reuters reported.
Artan had been selected to make history as the first Somali referee appointed to officiate at the men’s FIFA World Cup. However, his participation ended before the tournament began after the Trump administration refused to admit him into the United States.
U.S. officials said the decision was based on what they described as Artan’s links to “suspected members of terror organizations.” The administration did not publicly provide additional details regarding the allegations or any supporting evidence.
Although Artan will not officiate in any World Cup matches, FIFA has committed to paying him the full compensation he would have received had he participated in the tournament, according to the source.
The decision ensures that the 2025 African Referee of the Year will not suffer a financial loss because of the immigration ruling, even though he has been excluded from one of the biggest events in international football.
Artan was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after arriving for the competition and was subsequently returned to Somalia without taking part in the tournament.
Despite the disappointment, Artan received a warm reception upon his return home, where supporters welcomed him as a national figure whose World Cup appointment had already marked a milestone for Somali football.
His professional standing has also remained intact internationally. UEFA has appointed Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August, offering him another prestigious assignment on the global football calendar.
The appointment is widely viewed as a vote of confidence in Artan’s officiating credentials following the setback that prevented him from making his World Cup debut.
FIFA has not publicly commented on the compensation arrangement, while the decision to pay Artan despite his absence underscores the organization’s recognition that his exclusion stemmed from immigration issues rather than sporting or disciplinary reasons.
Artan’s case has drawn international attention as one of the most notable off-field controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, highlighting how immigration decisions by host nations can directly affect tournament officials as well as players and staff.
