By Daniel Kamau
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan is set to receive his full FIFA World Cup officiating fee despite being denied entry into the United States.
Sources told BBC Sport that the Somali referee will be fully remunerated once the tournament is concluded, although the exact amount has yet to be determined.
Artan, who arrived at Miami International Airport, was denied entry to the United States following an 11-hour interrogation by immigration officials.
US immigration authorities informed Artan that he would not be allowed into the country due to concerns arising from the vetting of his diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa.
The incident comes amid broad travel restrictions imposed by Trump’s administration on Somalia and several other countries, citing national security concerns.
According to media reports, Artan was denied entry because of his alleged “links with suspected members of terrorist organisations”.
Artan said he was questioned by border officials regarding potential links to the militant group Al-Shabaab, allegations he denied.
“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan said.
“I’m simply a referee trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”
The 34-year-old is regarded as one of Africa’s top referees and was named Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
He was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a men’s FIFA World Cup, marking a historic moment for Somalia.
Among his notable assignments was officiating the second leg of the 2025 CAF Champions League final between Egypt’s Pyramids FC and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
He has also officiated matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and at the Africa Cup of Nations in both 2024 and 2025.
Following the incident, Artan was placed on a return flight to Turkey, where FIFA officials provided assistance to him in Istanbul as he returned home to Mogadishu.
Artan returned home a hero, thanking Somalis for the warm welcome he received upon arrival and vowing to officiate at the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
European football governing body UEFA has appointed him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on 12 August.
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