FIFA Referee Barred From United States Assured Full Tournament Payment

Published 14 June 2026 · sports

FIFA Referee Barred From United States Assured Full Tournament Payment Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 17:07 IST Omar Artan, barred from entering the

FIFA Referee Barred From United States Assured Full Tournament Payment Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 17:07 IST Omar Artan, barred from entering the US over alleged terror links, will still be paid in full by FIFA and now targets future tournaments including 2030. Rapid Read Omar Abdulkadir Artan during the during the CAF Champions League final (AP) Somali referee Omar Artan, who was barred from entering the United States due to alleged ‘terror connections’, will be paid in full by FIFA, despite being unable to officiate in the ongoing World Cup. Artan was questioned for 11 hours by US immigration officials at Miami International Airport on Monday before being informed that he wouldn’t be permitted entry into the nation, with his diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa both deemed invalid.

A US government official stated that Artan was denied entry into the nation over an alleged association with individuals suspected of having links to terrorist organisations. Artan said that border officials questioned him regarding alleged links to the Somali militant group Al Shabab, but maintained that he didn’t know the organisation or any association with it. “I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa. I am just simply a referee who is trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup," Artan had said. After being deported to Turkey, Artan received assistance from FIFA officials in Istanbul before continuing his journey to Mogadishu, the Somali capital, according to reports.

As per a report in The BBC, even though Artan will take no part in the FIFA World Cup, the world body has committed to paying his salary. Referees aren’t informed of the exact match fee they will earn for officiating at the FIFA World Cup, as the payment is settled only after the tournament concludes. Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football Men’s Referee of the Year, has been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, all set to take place in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12. Artan, who expressed gratitude to ‘my people and my country’ after a warm reception back home, has vowed to officiate at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: June 14, 2026, 17:04 IST News sports football FIFA Referee Barred From United States Assured Full Tournament Payment Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...