Omar Artan has been a Fifa referee since 2018
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 interrogated for 11 hours by US immigration authorities at Miami International Airport on Monday before being told hewould not be allowed into the countryafter his diplomatic passport. single entry US visa were rejected.
A US government official said Artan had not been allowed to enter the country. of analleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations".
Artan said he had been questioned by border officials over his links to Somali militant group Al Shabab. 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."
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.
Referees do not know the actual fee they will receive for officiating at the World Cup. which is paid after the tournament is over.
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Referee Omar Artan arrives back in Somalia following US visa rejection
Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (Caf) men's referee of the year, has since been invited toofficiate the Uefa Super Cupbetween Paris St-Germain. Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August.
The 34-year-old, who thanked "my people. my country" after being welcomed in his homeland, has vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.
Artan had a year to remember in 2025, becoming the first Somali to take charge of a continental final.
In June 2025, he officiated the second leg of Pyramids FC's African Champions League final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Fifa appointed Artan to the U-20 World Cup in Chile. where he took charge of three matches including the third-place play-off.
At the end of the year he refereed two group games at the Africa Cup of Nations. having also officiated at the tournament in 2024.
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