Despite being denied entry to the US and missing the World Cup, Somali referee Omar Artan will be paid the full fee for the tournament by FIFA, according to reports.
US immigration officials detained Artan at Miami International Airport and, after 11 hours of interrogation, refused him entry, reportedly saying he was connected with suspected terrorist groups.
The 34-year-old has vehemently denied being a member of any extremist organisations, stating that he was travelling with the required travel documents, including a diplomatic passport and US visa.
Returning to Turkey and receiving support from officials from FIFA, the referee was then finally put on a plane back to Mogadishu, where he now awaits full payment of his fee from FIFA even though he did not take part in the tournament.
Artan who was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year for 2025, expressed that reaching the World Cup was “his career’s biggest dream” but stated he will seek another chance to represent his country at the 2030 event.
The referee, who also had a remarkable year in 2025, when he became the first referee from his country to referee the African Champions League final, also took charge of this year’s UEFA Super Cup in Austria between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
