Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full FIFA tournament payment despite being denied entry into the United States, a setback that prevented him from officiating at the FIFA World Cup.
The 34-year-old official travelled to the United States with hopes of taking part in football’s biggest tournament. However, upon arriving at Miami International Airport, he was detained and questioned by immigration authorities for about 11 hours before being informed that he would not be allowed to enter the country.
Artan held a diplomatic passport and a valid single-entry US visa, but officials still denied him entry and placed him on a return flight to Turkey. According to a US government official, the decision was linked to alleged associations with individuals suspected of being connected to terrorist organizations.
The referee strongly rejected the claims, insisting that he had no knowledge of the militant group Al-Shabaab. He said he answered all questions honestly and had complied with all travel requirements before making the trip.
“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan said, expressing disappointment over the incident. He described the experience as a painful setback, especially because officiating at the FIFA World Cup had been a lifelong dream.
Following the ordeal, FIFA officials in Istanbul assisted him before he travelled back to Mogadishu. On his return, Artan received a warm welcome from supporters and colleagues who praised his achievements and encouraged him to remain focused on his career.
Although he was unable to take part in the tournament, sources indicate that FIFA has agreed to pay him the full amount he would have earned for his World Cup assignment. The move is seen as recognition of the circumstances that kept him from participating.
The disappointment comes after a remarkable period in Artan’s career. In 2025, he became the first Somali referee to officiate a CAF Champions League final when he handled the second leg between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns. He was also named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year and officiated at both the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite missing out on the World Cup, Artan’s career continues to move forward. He has already been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12.
Looking ahead, he remains determined to pursue his dream of officiating at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
