Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied U.S. Entry for World Cup, FIFA to Provide Full Compensation

Omar Artan, a Somali referee, was denied entry into the United States earlier this month where he was scheduled to officiate at the World Cup. Despite the denial, FIFA has confirmed it will fully remunerate him for his commitments to the tournament.

Artan's denial of entry occurred in Miami, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection determined he was "inadmissible due to vetting concerns." A U.S. official further stated that Artan was not allowed into the country due to "association with suspected members of terror organizations." Somalia is among nearly 40 countries whose citizens face entry restrictions into the United States, a policy implemented under the administration of President Donald Trump.

The exact amount Artan will receive from FIFA is undisclosed, as it is unclear how many matches he would have been assigned. However, the organization assured full payment. Artan, 34, was set to make history as the first referee from Somalia to work a World Cup and was recognized as Africa's best male referee in 2025.

Following the incident, Artan stated, "I am very, very disappointed. I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup." He has since returned to Mogadishu, the Somali capital, where he was met by thousands of supporters. Artan has also been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, scheduled for August in Austria.

He has expressed his determination to participate in the next World Cup, slated for 2030 in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. (Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)