Miami, June 14: Somali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States and thus unable to officiate at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, will still receive his full tournament fee, according to Reuters.
Background and Appointment
Artan, named Africa's Referee of the Year in 2025, was set to become the first Somali official at football's global showpiece. However, he was turned away by US Customs and Border Protection. The US President Donald Trump's administration stated on Tuesday that the denial was due to Artan's links to suspected members of terror organizations.
Artan's Response
"What happened has happened, and it was unfortunate. I am grateful for the support FIFA gave me," Artan told reporters after arriving in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital. He urged his supporters to stand behind their country. "Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad. I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country," he said. "I am now in my country, and there is no other place I want to be," he added.
FIFA and UEFA Actions
FIFA had previously announced the appointment of 52 referees and 88 assistant referees for the World Cup 2026. Following the incident, Artan was appointed by UEFA to referee the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August. European football's governing body said on Thursday that Artan's appointment for the Super Cup followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and is part of a recently signed cooperation agreement between the two organizations.
Impact and Support
Artan expressed gratitude for FIFA's support and emphasized the importance of unity and hope for Somali youth. Despite the setback, he remains committed to his country and career.
