Somali referee denied US entry still set to receive World Cup fee (opens original article in a new tab)

Somali referee Omar Artan was denied US entry over alleged terror ties but will still receive his World Cup 2026 fee, while securing another major match assignment.

• Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US for the World Cup 2026 due to alleged links to Al Shabab
• FIFA confirmed paying Artan his full tournament fee despite him not officiating any matches
• Artan received another international appointment to officiate the UEFA Super Cup in August