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Somali Referee Artan to Receive Full FIFA Salary Despite Missing World Cup
World football’s governing body FIFA will pay Somali referee Omar Artan his full World Cup salary, despite US immigration officials deporting him before he could officiate a single match, according to BBC.
The 34-year-old official was historic territory, set to become the first-ever referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup tournament. However, his historic debut was cut short when US immigration authorities barred his entry, deporting him after an intense 11-hour interrogation in Miami.
Artan’s exclusion stems from new, strict travel restrictions implemented under the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.
Somalia is currently one of nearly 40 countries subject to the tightened border controls.
While FIFA typically dispenses payments to match officials at the conclusion of the World Cup, BBC Sport reported that the governing body considers Artan's ordeal entirely unique, prompting the decision to grant his compensation in full.
Since the incident, a massive expression of global solidarity has assembled behind the official, who was named Africa's best male referee in 2025.
In a major professional rebound, UEFA has selected Artan to referee the high-profile European Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa this coming August.
