FIFA to Pay Omar Artan Full World Cup Fee Despite U.S. Entry Denial
By TUW
FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will receive his full tournament salary despite being denied entry into the United States and consequently missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan, who had been selected among the match officials for the tournament and was expected to make history as the first Somali referee at a World Cup, was prevented from entering the U.S. due to immigration-related “vetting concerns,” according to multiple reports. Although he was cleared through FIFA’s selection process and held valid travel documentation, U.S. authorities ultimately ruled him inadmissible upon arrival, ending his participation in the tournament before it began.
Despite the setback, FIFA has decided to honour his contractual match fee in full, ensuring he is compensated in the same manner as other appointed referees for the tournament. The payment is expected to be finalised after the conclusion of the World Cup, in line with standard officiating agreements.
In a significant show of support from European football, UEFA has also stepped in with a high-profile appointment for Artan. The governing body has assigned him to referee the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa scheduled for August in Salzburg.
The move is widely seen as a recognition of Artan’s standing in international football officiating, following a difficult episode that saw him miss out on the biggest tournament of his career. UEFA officials have described the appointment as part of broader cooperation with CAF and a gesture highlighting respect for his refereeing credentials.
Artan, a FIFA-listed referee since 2018 and one of Africa’s top-rated officials in recent seasons, is now expected to continue his international career despite the World Cup disappointment.
