Omar Artan to get full FIFA World Cup fee after US entry refusal

The Somali match official barred from entering the United States for the football World Cup is still set to collect his complete tournament payment.

A source familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Omar Artan remains eligible for the fee even though he will not referee any fixtures during the almost six-week competition. The individual requested anonymity because they were not permitted to comment publicly.

According to the source, the final amount will be settled after the tournament ends next month.

Artan, 34, is regarded among the leading referees in world football and was selected as Africa's top male referee in 2025. However, the Somali citizen was refused entry last week after flying from Istanbul to Miami International Airport.

US Customs and Border Protection said Artan was “inadmissible due to vetting concerns”.

The Somalia Embassy in Kenya, which handled the process, said he had previously received a visa for travel to the United States. He had been expected to join fellow World Cup referees at their Miami training base.

FIFA said immigration decisions were outside its role and that the host government has the final authority on admission. The organisation said that meant Artan could not take part in training or officiate at the World Cup.

When Artan returned to Somalia earlier this week, he was greeted as a hero and said he intended to be present at the 2030 World Cup, which will be staged mainly in Morocco, Portugal and Spain. He has also been chosen to referee the UEFA Super Cup, one of European football's major showcase matches, in August.

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