Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full tournament compensation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being unable to officiate at the competition after reportedly being denied entry into the United States, FIFA has confirmed.
Artan was among the match officials selected for the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, he was unable to travel to the United States, forcing him to miss the tournament entirely.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that FIFA has decided to honour the full compensation package due to the Somali official, despite his absence from the competition.
World Cup referees are typically paid under a fixed FIFA remuneration structure, with the final amount determined after the conclusion of the tournament.
The decision is intended to ensure that Artan does not suffer financial losses as a result of circumstances beyond his control.
His absence from the tournament is a significant disappointment for Somali football, as he had been set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.
FIFA has not publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind the entry denial, nor has it revealed the amount Artan will receive, citing its standard policy of keeping referee remuneration confidential.
Artan’s case has drawn attention within the football community, highlighting the challenges that can arise even for officials selected to participate in the sport’s biggest global event.
