FIFA has confirmed it will pay Somali referee Omar Artan his full World Cup fee, even though he was barred from entering the United States and never officiated at the tournament.

Artan was held at Miami International Airport for 11 hours on Monday before US immigration authorities turned him away, citing the rejection of his diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa. A US government official stated he had been denied entry due to an alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations."

Artan told reporters he had been questioned about his supposed links to Somali militant group Al Shabab — links he flatly denied. "I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," he said. "I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."

FIFA's commitment and what comes next

After being placed on a return flight to Turkey, Artan received support from FIFA officials in Istanbul before travelling on to the Somali capital Mogadishu. Sources have told BBC Sport that FIFA will honour his full salary despite his non-participation. Referees at the World Cup are paid after the tournament concludes and are not told their precise fee in advance.

Far from stepping back, Artan has already been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August. The 34-year-old was warmly welcomed on his return to Somalia, and he publicly thanked "my people and my country" before vowing to take part in the 2030 World Cup.

A remarkable year for African football

Artan's 2025 has been nothing short of historic. He became the first Somali referee to take charge of a continental final when he officiated the second leg of Pyramids FC's CAF Champions League final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in June. FIFA had also appointed him to the U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he oversaw three matches, including the third-place play-off.

He was further recognised as the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men's referee of the year — a fitting honour for a man who also refereed two group-stage matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, having previously officiated at the 2024 edition of the same competition.