Somali top referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will still receive his full tournament fee from FIFA despite being controversially denied entry into the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan, who was named the 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year, was detained for approximately 11 hours at Miami International Airport before being informed that he would not be permitted to enter the country. The decision effectively ended his participation in the tournament before it had begun.
According to reports, the 34-year-old’s diplomatic passport and single-entry U.S. visa were rejected upon arrival, despite him insisting he had “the right papers” to fulfil his officiating duties at football’s biggest competition.
A U.S. government official later claimed that Artan was denied entry due to an alleged “association with suspected members of terror organisations.” The referee, however, strongly denied any wrongdoing, stating that he was questioned regarding supposed links to the Somali militant group Al Shabab and insisted he had no knowledge of the organisation.
“I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup,” Artan said following the incident.
After being placed on a return flight to Turkey, Artan received support from FIFA officials in Istanbul before travelling back to Mogadishu, where he was welcomed home by supporters.
Despite the setback, FIFA has confirmed that Artan will receive his full match fee for the tournament, even though referees typically only learn the exact figure after the competition concludes. The decision is widely seen as a gesture acknowledging the circumstances surrounding his exclusion.
In a further boost to his career, Artan has been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, offering him a swift return to elite international football.
The Somali official enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, becoming the first referee from his country to take charge of a continental final when he officiated the second leg of the CAF Champions League final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns.
He also gained valuable global experience at youth level, overseeing three matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, including the third-place playoff, as well as two fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations.
