Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full officiating fee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being unable to participate in the tournament after reportedly being denied entry into the United States.
According to reports, FIFA has committed to paying Artan his complete tournament remuneration, even though he will not officiate any matches at the global showpiece.
World Cup referees are typically informed of their exact earnings only after the conclusion of the tournament, with payments based on FIFA’s established compensation structure.
Artan’s absence from the competition comes as a disappointment for Somalia, as he had been selected to represent the East African nation on football’s biggest stage.
However, FIFA’s decision to honour his full payment ensures that the referee will not suffer financially due to circumstances beyond his control.
