2026 W/Cup: FIFA To Pay Somali Referee Artan Full World Cup Fee

Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, WILL RECEIVE THE SALARY HE WAS DUE TO EARN DURING THE TOURNAMENT!

FIFA has committed to paying him his full salary despite his absence from the competition.

Artan was interrogated for 11 hours by US immigration authorities at Miami International Airport on Monday before being told he would not be allowed into the country after his diplomatic passport and single entry US visa were rejected.

Artan said he had been questioned by border officials over his links to Somali militant group Al Shabab and had told them he knew nothing about the organisation.

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

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