Somalian referee Omar Artan will receive his full FIFA World Cup remuneration despite being denied entry to the United States and missing the tournament.
The 34-year-old official was stopped by immigration authorities at Miami International Airport on Monday and questioned for nearly 11 hours before being informed that he would not be allowed into the country. According to a US government official, the decision was linked to an alleged association with suspected members of terrorist organisations.
Artan, however, strongly denied any such connection. He said officials questioned him about links to the Somali militant group Al Shabab, but he told them he had no knowledge of the organisation.
The referee maintained that all his travel documents were valid and described the World Cup appointment as the biggest dream of his career.
Following the decision, Artan was sent back to Turkey before receiving assistance from FIFA officials in Istanbul. He later returned to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
Despite his absence from the World Cup, sources have confirmed that FIFA will honour his full tournament payment. Referees typically receive their final World Cup fees after the competition concludes.
Rapid Rise on the International Stage
Artan has emerged as one of Africa’s most respected match officials in recent years. He became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018 and was named the Confederation of African Football’s Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
Last year proved particularly memorable for the Somali official. He became the first referee from Somalia to oversee a continental club final when he took charge of the second leg of the African Champions League final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns.
FIFA also selected him for the Under-20 World Cup in Chile, where he officiated three matches, including the third-place play-off. Later in the year, he handled two group-stage fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations.
European Opportunity Awaits
Although his World Cup dream has been postponed, Artan’s reputation continues to grow internationally. He has already been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August.
After receiving a warm welcome upon returning home, Artan thanked the people of Somalia for their support and insisted his World Cup ambitions remain alive.
The Somali official has vowed to continue his journey and target a place at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, determined that this setback will not define his career.
Discussion about this post