World Cup 2026: FIFA to pay Somali referees full tournament fee

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will still receive his full tournament fee.

Artan was questioned by US immigration authorities for 11 hours at Miami International Airport on Monday before being informed Will not be allowed to enter the country His diplomatic passport and single entry US visa were later denied.

A US government official said Artan was not allowed to enter the country for a reason Alleged “relations with suspected members of terrorist organizations”.

Artan said he was questioned by border officials about his links to the Somali militant group Al Shabaab and told them he knew nothing about the organization.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan said.

“I’m just a referee trying to achieve his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”

After being brought back on a plane to Turkey, Artan received assistance from FIFA officials in Istanbul before boarding a flight to the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Sources have told BBC Sport that FIFA has promised to pay Artan’s salary even if he does not take part in the World Cup.

Referees do not know that they will receive an actual fee for officiating at the World Cup, which is paid after the tournament is over.