Somali referee Omar Artan will be paid for his World Cup match assignments by FIFA, sources told ESPN, after he was refused entry into the United States prior to the start of the tournament.
Artan, recognized as Africa's leading referee, returned to Somalia after being turned away from the U.S. on his arrival in Miami last week because of visa issues.
🏆 Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup!
We're pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg.
Cumar Artan ma gaarin #FIFAWorldCup oo keliya. Wuxuu taariikh dhigay isagoo noqday garsoorihii kubadda cagta ugu horreeyay ee Soomaaliyeed ee halkaas gaara, isla markaana ka mid ah garsoorayaasha ugu wanaagsan #Afrika. Guushaas cidina kama qaadi karto, wax kasta ha dhacaane.
Cumar, aad baan uga xumahay waxa dhacay. Waxaad gaartay heerka ugu sarreeya ee xirfaddaada, waxaadna dhiirrigelisay jiil dalka jooga adigoo halkaas gaaray. In lagaa hor istaagay fursaddii aad u qalantay ma beddelayso taas.
Tani ma noqon doonto halka ay ku dhammaato sheekadaadu. Dunidu way ku garab taagan tahay, waxayna kuu rajaynaysaa samir, adkaysi, iyo in aad mar kale garsoorto kulamo waaweyn oo caalami ah.
Waan ku garab taaganahay, Cumar.
#Somalia
As a World Cup host, the U.S. shouldn't be flippantly barring officials from entering the country to do their jobs.
It's terribly backward.
It's also counterproductive.
Global sports competitions should improve international exchange and relations, not the reverse.
Omar Artan didn’t just make the #FIFAWorldCup, he made history as the first Somali referee to get there, and as #Africa’s best. That milestone stands no matter what. So sorry to see this, Omar. You reached the summit of your profession and inspired a generation back home just by getting there, and being kept off the pitch you earned doesn’t change that. This won’t be the end of your story on the world stage. The world stands with you as one family, wishing you resilience now and many more major finals to come. Solidarity. #Somalia