By our reporter 14.6.2026
World football governing body FIFA said Somalian referee Omar Artan will get his allowance after he was prevented from entering the US by immigration officials to officiate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan who was scheduled to be at the centre in one of the matches was turned back when he arrived in Miami, Florida. US immigration held him for 11 hours after which he was deported to Turkey from where he returned to Mogadishu the Somalia capital.
BBC Sports reports that FIFA has agreed to pay his allowance in full but adds that referees do not know how much they will be paid until the tournament is over. But it is estimated that referees will be paid $100,000 for their involvement in the world football fiesta. The amount is set to increase depending on how many games they officiate.
Artan’s deportation despite having a valid visa on his diplomatic passport put FIFA president Gianni Infantino under the heat. He was accused of not standing up to the US President Donald Trump who went against the hosting rights agreement by denying the referee, qualified countries officials and fans visas to enter the USA.
Infantino replied that FIFA doesn’t control who gets a visa and who does not.
Omar Artan...blocked by the US from whistling at the World Cup to get his allowance.