Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will receive the financial compensation allocated to World Cup match officials even though he will not take part in the ongoing tournament after being denied entry into the United States.
Information obtained by BBC Sport indicates that FIFA has decided to honour the payment due to Artan despite his inability to officiate at the competition. The decision brings some relief to the Somali official, whose participation in the tournament ended before it began.
Artan had earned a place among the referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after several years of officiating international matches across Africa and beyond. His appointment was viewed as an important moment for Somali football, as he was set to become the first referee from Somalia to work at a FIFA World Cup.
The opportunity came after a period of progress in his career that saw him gain recognition from football authorities on the continent. Through assignments in continental competitions and international tournaments, Artan established himself among the officials trusted to handle high-level matches.
His plans changed when the United States authorities denied him entry after he arrived in the country. Although he held travel documents required for the journey, he was not allowed to proceed and was forced to miss the tournament.
The decision generated discussion within football circles, with many questioning how a referee selected by FIFA for one of the world's biggest sporting events could be prevented from taking up his assignment.
FIFA later acknowledged that immigration matters fall under the authority of national governments and are therefore beyond the control of the football governing body. As a result, the organisation was unable to reverse the decision that kept the Somali official out of the tournament.
Despite his absence from the competition, FIFA has chosen not to penalise Artan financially. Sources familiar with the matter say the governing body will provide the same tournament payment he would have received had he been present at the event.
The exact amount referees earn during a World Cup remains unknown. FIFA does not publicly disclose the figures before the tournament begins, and officials are normally informed of their final payments after the competition concludes.
The compensation package usually includes payments linked to tournament duties and preparations carried out before the event.
For Artan, the decision means he will not lose the financial benefits attached to the appointment even though he was unable to perform any on-field duties. However, the payment does not replace the opportunity to officiate on football's biggest stage, an achievement many referees spend years trying to reach.
The case has attracted attention in Somalia, where many football supporters had followed Artan's rise through the ranks of international officiating. His selection for the World Cup was celebrated by sports officials and fans who viewed it as a sign of Somalia's growing presence in global football.
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