Omar Artan to Receive Full FIFA World Cup Fee After US Entry Refusal

ATLANTA: Somali match official Omar Artan is still set to collect his complete FIFA World Cup fee, although he was stopped from entering the United States to take part in the tournament.

A source familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Artan remains eligible for the payment even though he will not referee any matches during the almost six-week competition. The person requested anonymity because they did not have permission to discuss the issue publicly. The final amount, the source said, will be worked out after the tournament finishes next month.

Artan is regarded among the leading referees in world football and was selected as Africa’s top male referee in 2025. The Somali citizen was refused entry after travelling from Istanbul to Miami International Airport last week.

US Customs and Border Protection said he was “inadmissible due to vetting concerns”. According to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya, which handled the process, Artan had already been granted a visa for travel to the United States. He had been expected to join the other World Cup officials at their Miami training camp.

FIFA said it had no role in the immigration handling and noted that decisions on entry rest with the host government. Because of the refusal, FIFA said Artan would be unable to train or officiate at the World Cup.

The 34-year-old received a hero’s reception after going back to Somalia earlier this week. He also said he intends to be at the next World Cup in 2030, which will be staged mainly in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.

Artan has also been chosen to referee the UEFA Super Cup in August, one of European football’s major fixtures.

“Football is made to connect people and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.