Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSomali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, with the administration citing his "links to 'suspected members of terror organizations'" as the reason. Despite being barred from entering the US, Fifa has committed to paying Artan his full tournament fee, ensuring he does not suffer financially from the decision. Artan, who was named Africa's referee of the year in 2025 and would have been the first Somali to officiate at the global showpiece, received a hero's welcome upon his return to Mogadishu. The decision to block Artan sparked international outrage, though Fifa president Gianni Infantino urged people to "chill, relax" when questioned about the situation. Artan's career has since seen a significant boost, with European football body Uefa appointing him to oversee the prestigious Uefa Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa in August. In fullSomali referee denied entry to US for World Cup to be paid full tournament fee by FifaThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Somali referee to get World Cup salary after being refused entry to US
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSomali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, with the administration citing his "links to 'suspected members of terror organizations'" as the reason. Despite being barred from entering the US, Fifa has committed to paying Artan his full tournament fee, ensuring he does not suffer financially from the decision. Artan, who was named Africa's referee of the year in 2025 and would have been the first Somali to officiate at the global showpiece, received a hero's welcome upon his return to Mogadishu. The decision to block Artan sparked international outrage, though Fifa president Gianni Infantino urged people to "chill, relax" when questioned about the situation. Artan's career has since seen a significant boost, with European football body Uefa appointing him to oversee the prestigious Uefa Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa in August. In fullSomali referee denied entry to US for World Cup to be paid full tournament fee by FifaThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
