Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full World Cup match fee despite being denied entry to the United States following an 11-hour interrogation by immigration officials at Miami International Airport.
Artan, who was due to officiate at the tournament, was turned away after his diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa were rejected. A US government official alleged he was refused entry over concerns about a possible “association with suspected members of terror organisations.” Artan said he was questioned about alleged links to Somali militant group Al Shabab, which he denied, insisting he was “just simply a referee” pursuing his World Cup dream.
After being placed on a flight to Turkey and later assisted by FIFA officials in Istanbul, Artan returned to Mogadishu. Sources confirmed that although he will not take part in the tournament, FIFA has committed to paying his full referee fee, which is typically only disclosed and paid after the competition concludes.
Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year, has since been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August in Salzburg. He has also expressed his ambition to return for the 2030 World Cup following a standout year that included appointments at the U-20 World Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, and the CAF Champions League final.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
Follow us on:
