“FIFA guarantees full payment to Somali referee barred from the USA.”

The scandal has erupted at the World Cup: Omar Artan, an international referee from Somalia, was prevented from entering the United States to fulfill the greatest dream of his career, but he will receive the full amount of the prize that would have been paid to the tournament’s referees. FIFA confirmed that, despite the ban and forced absence, Artan will not be financially disadvantaged, a decision that is stirring up the world football scene.

Omar Artan, 34, traveled to Miami earlier this week with the mission of officiating matches at the World Cup, but ended up being detained by U.S. authorities. After 11 hours of interrogation at Miami International Airport, the referee saw his diplomatic passport and single-entry visa to the U.S. rejected, resulting in his entry into the country being denied. According to a spokesperson for the U.S. government, the decision was based on an alleged “association with individuals suspected of terrorist organizations.” During the interrogation, Artan was confronted with questions about possible links to the militant group Al Shabab from Somalia, allegations he vehemently denied.


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“I am just a referee trying to live my dream, the biggest dream of my life, which was to come to the World Cup,” said Artan, visibly shaken, after returning to Mogadishu via Istanbul with the support of FIFA representatives, who assisted him during the layover. “I had all the documentation in order, I had the right visa,” he emphasized, describing the incident as deeply humiliating. Artan also explained that he is completely unaware of any association with the mentioned group, asserting his total innocence.

The news has shaken the international community and raised serious questions about the unequal treatment of African referees and the security criteria applied by the United States to personalities in world football. FIFA, pressured by various organizations, assured that “regardless of Artan not being able to participate in the World Cup, he will receive the full amount of the prize agreed upon for the referees.” It is important to highlight that referees do not know the exact value of the prize until the end of the tournament, with the amount revealed only after the competition.

The impact of this incident is not limited to the personal level. Artan, elected African Football Confederation (CAF) Referee of the Year in 2025, became the first Somali to officiate a continental final, refereeing the second leg of the African Champions League final in June 2025, between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns. He also participated in the Under-20 World Cup in Chile, officiating three matches, including the bronze medal match, and ended the year with two appearances in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite the setback, Artan’s career seems far from over. The referee has already been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, scheduled for August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, in a clear demonstration of confidence from UEFA. Back in his country, Artan was welcomed with a celebration and took the opportunity to thank “my people and my country,” assuring journalists: “I will continue to fight for my dream. I want to referee at the 2030 World Cup.”

This case raises an alarm about the ongoing obstacles faced by referees from African countries in global top-tier events and promises to force FIFA to review the entry conditions and treatment of its officials. For now, Artan is back in the news not for his whistle, but for his resilience and determination to not give up on his passion. The next chapter of his career will play out in August, at the UEFA Super Cup, but the question remains: to what extent is international football free from prejudices and political barriers? The outcome of this episode could influence future appointments and the relationship between federations, organizers, and host countries of major tournaments.

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