Somali referee denied US entry for World Cup will receive full FIFA fee

Authorities said the US had denied Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to "suspected members of terror organiSations"

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was expected to officiate at matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was denied entry to US, is hosted in a reception ceremony by members of the Somali community of Dayniile district, in Mogadishu, Somalia Jun 12, 2026 REUTERS

Somali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will be paid his full tournament fee.

The Trump administration said the United States had denied Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to "suspected members of terror organisations".

A source familiar with the matter said even though Artan will take no part in the World Cup, FIFA has committed to paying his salary.

Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, was set to become the first Somali to officiate at football's global showpiece, but was turned back by the US Customs and Border Protection.

However, he returned home to a hero's welcome while European football body UEFA appointed him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa in August.