'I don't want compensation. I wanted to referee at the World Cup': Omar Artan rejects FIFA payout after visa denial

Somali referee Omar Artan said he did not want financial compensation from FIFA after being denied the opportunity to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, saying his concern was the loss of what he described as a lifelong ambition rather than the tournament fee.

Artan, a FIFA referee since 2018 and the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) men's referee of the year in 2025, was unable to take up his World Cup assignment after being denied entry into the United States.

Speaking after returning to Somalia, Artan rejected FIFA's offer to pay him his full tournament fee despite his inability to officiate at the competition.

"I don't want compensation. I wanted to referee at the World Cup," Artan said.

Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on a Monday to begin his World Cup duties but was questioned by US immigration authorities for 11 hours, according to information provided about the incident.

Despite travelling with a diplomatic passport and a single-entry US visa, both were rejected by officials. US authorities cited an alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations" and questioned him over possible links to the Somali militant group Al Shabab, says the BBC.

Artan denied any connection to the group.

"I had the right papers and everything... I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream," he said.

Following the interrogation, Artan was sent to Istanbul before returning to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.

While FIFA committed to paying his tournament fee and invited him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa in August 2026, Artan said the decision had not eased his disappointment.

He said "the biggest dream of his life" had been taken away before the tournament began.

Upon his return, Artan thanked Somalis for their support and said he intended to pursue another opportunity at football's biggest tournament, vowing to officiate at the 2030 World Cup.

Artan is regarded as one of Somalia's leading football officials and became the first Somali referee to oversee a continental final in 2025. He has also officiated at the Under-20 World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.