FIFA to pay Somali referee full World Cup fee after U.S. entry denial

Artan, who had been selected as one of the match officials for the tournament, was stopped upon arrival in Miami and subsequently sent back to Istanbul without being allowed to enter the U.S. The reasons for the decision have not been officially disclosed.

The Somali referee had been scheduled to attend a FIFA seminar for match officials ahead of the World Cup.

Despite his exclusion from the tournament, FIFA is reportedly expected to maintain his appointment status and ensure he receives the standard remuneration allocated to referees selected for World Cup duty.

Artan had recently been recognized as one of Africa’s leading referees after receiving top continental honors in 2025 from the Confederation of African Football. His selection for the World Cup was seen as a milestone for Somali football, marking a first potential appearance for a referee from the country at the tournament.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that Qatar earned a historic first World Cup point.