Somali referee Omar Artan to be paid for his FIFA World Cup assignments despite being refused entry into the USA: Reports

Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full pay for the 2026 World Cup from FIFA despite being denied entry into the United States, as per reports.

Artan was one of the 52 referees appointed by FIFA to officiate in north America this summer, but upon his arrival at Miami International Airport, he was refused entry into the United States.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cited ‘vetting concerns’ as the reason for his inadmissibility, after which FIFA confirmed that Artan will be unable ‘to train and officiate’ at the tournament.

According to a report from ESPN, Artan will be fully compensated and receive his full salary from the governing body despite not being able to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is said that the amount he would be paid has yet to be determined, as referees are usually paid after the tournament is over.

Artan, who was named 2025 Confederation of African Football men’s referee of the year, said in an interview that he was interviewed for 11 hours by border officials while claiming he had the right papers and visa. FIFA, meanwhile, said it is not involved in a host country’s immigration process and cannot tell a host nation who to admit into their country.

Following the World Cup blow to Artan, UEFA have appointed the referee to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, which will take place on 12 August in Salzburg between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa.

‘It was fate” – Artan on being denied access into United States to officiate 2026 FIFA World Cup

Days after being denied entry into the US, Artan returned to his country’s capital, Mogadishu, where he received a hero’s welcome. Artan was due to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate on football’s biggest stage.

“What happened has happened and it was fate. I am grateful for the support FIFA gave me,” Artan told reporters after arriving in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. “Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad. I want to tell our ⁠youth not to lose hope in our country,” he said. “I am now in my country, and there is no other place I want to be.”

In further defense of their reason for Artan’s repatriation, a United States official said the referee was denied admission due to association with suspected members of terror organisations.