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

Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States for the World Cup, will be paid his full tournament fee by FIFA. The Trump administration had stated that Artan was denied entry due to his alleged links to "suspected members of terror organizations."

A source familiar with the matter confirmed that FIFA has committed to paying Artan's salary, even though he will not participate in the World Cup. Artan, recognized as Africa's referee of the year in 2025, was poised to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer's premier global event but was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Upon his return home, Artan was welcomed as a hero. In a subsequent development, the European soccer body UEFA appointed him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa.