Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup, was turned away at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa. Now it has emerged that the 34-year-old – Africa's referee of the year in 2025 – has been denied a bumper payday worth at least £75,000.
A Trump administration source said Artan was refused admission because of "association with suspected members of terror organisations", adding: "President Trump's administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country - full stop." The US official said that upon inspection by Customs and Border Protection, "derogatory information" was discovered, making him ineligible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
“Somali referee Omar Artan, barred from US over alleged terror links, loses £75,000 World Cup payday”
FIFA have since confirmed Artan has been removed from its list of officials for the tournament, insisting it was "not involved in host country immigration processes" and that "a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa". The decision has prompted outcry ahead of a World Cup already blighted by controversy.
Referees are set to pocket £75,000 from the first-ever 48-team World Cup, with officials taking charge of knockout matches receiving further payments. The referee for the final could receive up to £325,000. Artan, who has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations, told Reuters: "Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career."
Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump. Artan arrived back in Mogadishu on Wednesday to a hero's reception, greeted by government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation, before meeting president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Presidential Palace. He made a brief statement at the airport, saying: "Everything is pre-destined. Fifa supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu. I promise you that I'll be officiating you in the next World Cup."
Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's ministry of youth and sports and a former national team captain, told AFP: "Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches not only harms him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit and the spirit of fair play."