Somali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was barred from entering the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will receive his full tournament fee despite being unable to participate. The Trump administration cited Artan’s alleged connections to “suspected members of terror organisations” as the reason for denying his entry.

Artan, who was named Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, was poised to become the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials prevented him from entering the country, effectively removing him from the competition.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed that although Artan will not take part in the event, FIFA has agreed to pay his full salary for the tournament. Following the denial, Artan returned to Somalia, where he was received with widespread acclaim.

In a subsequent development, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) appointed Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match scheduled for August between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. This appointment further underscores his recognition within the international football community despite the setback at the World Cup.