FIFA to Pay Full World Cup Fee to Somali Referee Barred from U.S. Entry

Addis Ababa, June 14, 2026 (FMC) – FIFA will pay Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan his full tournament fee despite his exclusion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after U.S. authorities denied him entry into the country, according to Reuters.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that FIFA has committed to paying Artan the full amount he would have earned, even though he will not officiate any matches at the tournament.

Artan, who was named Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025, had been set to become the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup. However, he was refused entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival in the United States.

The Trump administration said Artan was denied entry over alleged links to “suspected members of terror organizations.”

FIFA has maintained that immigration decisions fall under the authority of the host country and are outside its jurisdiction.

Despite missing the World Cup, Artan received a hero’s welcome upon returning to Somalia. In a further show of support, UEFA has appointed the 34-year-old to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.