Fifa pays Somali referee Omar Artan full World Cup fee despite visa issues

Somalian referee Omar Artan will still receive his full FIFA payment for the 2026 World Cup, despite being unable to take part in the tournament.According to talkSPORT, Artan is in line to pocket the ...

Omar Artan, who was named Africa's best male referee in 2025, was denied entry into the United States to work the World Cup earlier this month.

Omar Artan, who was named Africa's best male referee in 2025, was denied entry into the United States to work the World Cup earlier this month.

Somali referee Omar Artan will be paid in full for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being denied entry to the United States for the tournament.

The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. Artan is one of soccer's top officials and was named Africa's best male referee in 2025.

The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officia…

Somali referee Omar Artan will be paid for his World Cup match assignments by FIFA, sources have told ESPN, despite being refused entry into the United States prior to the start of the tournament.

Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full pay as a World Cup referee despite the United States blocking his entry into the country. Artan had to fly home after officials in the US, which is co-hosting the football tournament with Mexico and Canada, said he had an "association with suspected members of terror organizations.

Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full pay as a World Cup referee despite the United States blocking his entry into the country. Artan had to fly home after officials in the US, which is co-hosting the football tournament with Mexico and Canada, said he had an "association with suspected members of terror organizations.

Omar Artan will still receive his World Cup fee, even though the Somali referee’s tournament ended before he ever reached the pitch. That matters because Artan was not removed for performance, fitness or discipline.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will still receive his tournament fee from Fifa in full.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will still receive his tournament fee from Fifa in full.