FIFA to Pay Omar Artan Full World Cup Fee Despite US Entry Denial

FIFA has confirmed that Somalian referee Omar Artan will receive the full payment agreed for the 2026 World Cup despite being unable to participate after US authorities denied him entry.

Reports from talkSPORT indicate that Artan is set to be paid the entire ‘five-figure’ fee initially promised for his World Cup role, even though he will not officiate any matches due to the travel refusal.

Artan, 34, had been selected by the Confederation of African Football to represent the continent at the World Cup, and his appointment was notable as he would have been the first Somali referee to officiate at football’s premier tournament.

This milestone was hailed as a significant achievement for Somalia and African football, but his World Cup ambitions ended after he arrived in Miami earlier this week and was detained by US immigration officials.

According to available information, Artan was questioned for approximately 11 hours before being refused entry into the United States.

Despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single-entry US visa, both were rejected, barring him from participating in the competition.

The denial sparked public outcry and demands for FIFA to intervene and resolve the issue.

FIFA subsequently confirmed that the entry refusal would stand and that Artan would not be permitted to join the tournament.

Following this decision, calls emerged for Artan to be compensated fully, and FIFA has reportedly agreed to honor its financial obligation to him.

As a result, Artan will receive the full remuneration he was entitled to for his World Cup selection, despite not officiating any games.

World Cup referees typically receive substantial payments, with leading officials earning over £75,000 ($100,000), though exact amounts depend on the number of matches officiated and progression in the tournament.

FIFA guarantees a basic fee to all selected referees and offers additional bonuses for those assigned to knockout-stage matches.

Progressing to officiate in later stages of the tournament is a key professional and financial incentive for referees.

Throughout the competition, officials are evaluated and may be rewarded with appointments to high-profile knockout fixtures based on their performance.