Artan to be fully compensated despite missing the World Cup

Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was denied entry into the United States, will still receive everything he was entitled to from FIFA. After being questioned for 11 hours and ultimately refused entry into the country, he missed out on participating in the World Cup. The incident sparked widespread support for the Somali official, who has gradually been compensated in various ways for his ordeal. Initially, he was appointed to referee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, as UEFA sought to demonstrate its commitment to fighting discrimination. In addition, he will receive the full amount he would have earned at the World Cup.

Somali referee returns home to hero’s welcome after World Cup heartbreak [VIDEO]

A few days ago, the first major controversy of the World Cup emerged when it was announced that U.S. authorities had denied entry to Omar Artan, the Somali referee selected to officiate at the tournament. FIFA stated that it could not interfere with the immigration procedures of host countries, but the BBC has now revealed that Artan will nevertheless receive 100% of the compensation allocated for his World Cup participation. It is, at least in part, an attempt to make amends.

Blow as Africa's best referee is ruled out of 2026 FIFA World Cup

According to reports, after arriving in the United States, Artan was subjected to 11 hours of questioning at Miami International Airport. A U.S. government official then informed him that he would not be allowed to enter the country because of alleged "associations with individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations." As a result, he lost his World Cup assignment, triggering a wave of criticism and support for the Somali referee. As already noted, UEFA offered him a prestigious appointment, and FIFA has now followed suit by agreeing to pay him all the money he would have earned. FIFA traditionally pays referees after the tournament, so the exact amount remains unknown, although several international media outlets have estimated the figures involved.

Somali referee denied entry to the USA

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, referees reportedly received around 70,000 dollars simply for being selected for the tournament, plus additional fees for each match they officiated. Group-stage matches earned approximately 3,000 per game, while knockout-stage assignments brought significantly higher payments, estimated at around 10,000 per match. Assistant referees received a lower base fee—around 25,000 dollars —along with match-related payments. Reports regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup suggest that referee compensation has increased considerably. Elite referees could reportedly earn more than 100,000 dollars during the tournament, especially if they officiate matches in the later stages and qualify for additional bonuses. A rough estimate indicates that a referee assigned to several matches, including knockout fixtures, could earn anywhere from 80,000 to well over 100,000 dollars at a single World Cup, while the referee selected for the final could earn even more.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

First round

Thursday, 11.06.

Mexico - S.Africa 2-0 (1-0)

/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/

Friday, 12. 06.

South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)

/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/

Canada - B&H 1-1 (0-1)

/Larin 78 - Lukic 21/

Saturday, 13.06.

USA - Paraguay 4-1 (3-0)

/Bobadilla 7 og, Balogun 31, 45+5, Reyna 90+8 - Mauricio 73/

Qatar - Switzerland 1-1 (0-1)

/Khoukhi 90+4 - Embolo 17 pen/

Sunday, 14.06.

Brazil - Morocco 1-1 (1-1)

/Vinicius 42- Saibari 21/

Haiti 0-1 Scotland (0-1)

/McGinn 29/

Australia - Turkey 2-0 (1-0)

/Irankunda 27, Metcalfe 75/

20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)

23.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)

Monday, 15.06.

02.00: (3.60) Ivory Coast (2.90) Ecuador (2.30)

05.00: (2.00) Sweden (3.35) Tunisia (4.00)

19.00: (1.10) Spain (9.50) Cape Verde (27.0)

22.00: (1.70) Belgium (4.00) Egypt (4.75)