Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the FIFA Club World Cup, will still receive his full tournament fee despite missing the competition, reports the BBC.
Artan was questioned for 11 hours by U.S. immigration authorities at Miami International Airport on Monday before being informed that he would not be allowed to enter the country after officials rejected his diplomatic passport and single-entry U.S. visa.
A U.S. government official said Artan was denied entry because of an alleged “association with suspected members of terror organisations”.
Artan said border officials questioned him about links to Somali militant group Al Shabaab, but he denied any knowledge of the organisation.”I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa. I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.” Artan said.
After being returned to Turkey, Artan received assistance from FIFA officials in Istanbul before travelling on to the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
BBC Sport said that although Artan will play no part in the tournament, FIFA has committed to paying him his full remuneration.
Referees are not informed of their final World Cup earnings until after the tournament, when payments are made.
Artan, named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s referee of the year in 2025, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on Aug. 12.
The 34-year-old, who thanked “my people and my country” after returning home, said he remains determined to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.
Artan enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, becoming the first Somali referee to oversee a continental club final. In June of that year, he took charge of the second leg of Pyramids FC’s African Champions League final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
He was also appointed by FIFA for the Under-20 World Cup in Chile, where he officiated three matches, including the third-place playoff.
Later that year, Artan refereed two group-stage matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, having also officiated at the tournament in 2024.