Somali referee Omar Artan, who was blocked from entering the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been informed that he will receive the salary he was due for officiating at the tournament. The news was confirmed by the Somali Football Federation on June 13, 2026.
Artan, a 34-year-old referee from Mogadishu, was selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, upon arrival at a US airport on June 10, he was denied entry and subsequently deported back to Somalia. The US Customs and Border Protection cited unspecified visa issues.
The Somali Football Federation stated that FIFA intervened to ensure Artan receives his match fees and allowances, which amount to approximately $50,000 for the group stage. The federation expressed gratitude to FIFA for its support.
Artan, who has refereed in the Somali Premier League and African competitions, described the incident as disappointing but said he is relieved to receive the payment. He hopes to officiate in future international tournaments.
The case has drawn attention to visa challenges faced by African officials traveling to major sporting events. FIFA has not commented on the specific visa issues but reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair treatment for all match officials.
