FIFA will pay the full salary to Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the US for the 2026 World Cup. Artan, selected as African Referee of the Year in 2025, was barred from entering the US despite having a valid visa and diplomatic passport.
Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full World Cup remuneration despite being denied entry into the United States. Artan was deemed "inadmissible due to vetting concerns" at Miami International Airport, preventing him from officiating at the tournament.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the World Cup due to "vetting concerns," will still receive his full tournament fee. FIFA stated it is not involved in immigration processes, and the host government determines entry.
Referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the US at Miami International Airport after 11 hours of interrogation. US officials suspect him of "association with suspected members of terror organisations." FIFA assisted Artan, who was put on a plane to Somalia, and reportedly committed to paying his salary.
Referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US at Miami International Airport after an 11-hour interrogation. US officials suspect him of "associated with suspected members of terror organisations." FIFA assisted Artan, reportedly paying his salary, after he was put on a plane to Somalia. Despite the setback, Artan, the 2025 CAF men's referee of the year, vows to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US for the World Cup after an 11-hour interrogation regarding alleged links to terror groups. Despite being sent back to Somalia, FIFA will pay him his full tournament fee.
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US for the World Cup after an 11-hour interrogation regarding alleged terror group associations. Despite being sent back to Somalia, FIFA has committed to paying his full tournament fee.
A Somali-American youth soccer academy returned 20 World Cup tickets after the US banned the first Somali referee from officiating. The academy's director, Ali Abdullah, felt it was wrong to celebrate while the referee was in pain. Meanwhile, Brazil's Vinícius Júnior and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo expressed their focus on winning the World Cup.
A Somali refugee and former semi-pro footballer, Ali Abdullah, returned 20 World Cup tickets allocated to his youth soccer academy after the US banned the first Somali referee from officiating in the tournament. Abdullah and the parents of the children expressed solidarity with the referee, stating they felt uncomfortable celebrating while he faced disappointment.
A Somali refugee and youth soccer nonprofit leader in Seattle returned 20 free World Cup tickets in solidarity after a Somali referee was barred from entering the US. The African Youth Sports Academy cited heartbreak and betrayal, teaching kids to stand up for what's right.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the World Cup due to alleged terror group links, will officiate the Uefa Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg. Uefa cited discussions with Caf and a desire to support Artan's skills.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied US entry for the World Cup due to alleged terror links, will officiate the Uefa Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg. Uefa cited his skills and support from Caf president Patrice Motsepe.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied US entry for the World Cup due to alleged ties to terrorist organizations, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup. UEFA praised his skills, highlighting a cooperation accord with the African confederation.
Omar Artan, a Somali football referee denied entry to the US for the World Cup, will officiate the UEFA Super Cup final in Austria. UEFA cited his skills and CAF award, while Artan expressed deep disappointment over the US visa denial.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the World Cup, has been nominated by UEFA to officiate the European Super Cup. This follows issues with US visa policies affecting fans and officials.
UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12. The decision, seen as having political undertones, follows Artan's exclusion from the World Cup due to visa issues.
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the US for the World Cup, will officiate the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on August 12. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stated the decision aims to honor Artan's skills and connect people through football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated the organization cannot override government decisions on visas for the World Cup, following the denial of entry to a referee from Somalia. He also acknowledged the tournament's geopolitical dimension due to the US-Iran conflict, noting Iran's team was granted visas.
The US government is facing sharp criticism from human rights experts and immigration advocates over visa complications and entry denials for athletes and officials participating in the FIFA World Cup. Incidents involving a Somali referee, the Iranian football team, and Iraqi players have highlighted concerns about discrimination and geopolitical tensions impacting the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino discussed Somali referee Omar Artan's denied entry to the US for the World Cup, stating FIFA cannot overrule government decisions. He also defended high ticket prices, arguing they prevent scalping, and expressed confidence in FIFA's legal standing regarding state investigations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed regret over a Somali referee being denied entry to the US for the 2026 World Cup, stating FIFA cannot control everything. He addressed issues like Iran's participation and ticket prices at a press conference.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the 2026 World Cup, returned to Mogadishu to a hero's welcome. Despite holding a valid visa and diplomatic passport, he was barred by US Customs and Border Protection due to 'admissibility issues,' with a Trump administration official citing suspected ties to terror groups. FIFA removed him from the referee list.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the FIFA World Cup, was welcomed as a national hero in Mogadishu. Detained for 11 hours despite valid paperwork, Artan vowed to officiate at the next World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated the organization cannot control everything after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US for the World Cup without explanation. Organizers also faced criticism for strict player searches.
