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Somali referee denied US entry for World Cup will receive full Fifa fee
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was expected to officiate at matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was denied entry to US, addresses fans at the Mogadishu stadium, in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 10, 2026.
Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will be paid his full tournament fee.
The Trump administration said the United States had denied Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to "suspected members of terror organisations".
A source familiar with the matter said even though Artan will take no part in the World Cup, Fifa has committed to paying his salary.
The 34-year-old Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, was set to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer's global showpiece, but was turned back by US Customs and Border Protection despite having a valid visa.
However, he returned home to a hero's welcome while European soccer body UEFA appointed him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa in August.
On June 11, European football's governing body said that his appointment for the Super Cup followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and formed part of a recently signed cooperation agreement between the two bodies.
The August 12 match in Salzburg pits Champions League winners Paris St Germain against Europa League holders Aston Villa.
"Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent, extremely proud. His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the Fifa World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys," said CAF president Patrice Motsepe.
President Donald Trump's strict immigration policies have been a point of concern for the World Cup, with Washington imposing a sweeping travel ban last year on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.
An administration official said on June 11 that Artan was denied entry because of his links to "suspected members of terror organizations".
