FIFA to pay full World Cup fee to Somali referee Artan following United States entry ban

The 34-year-old was refused entry to the United States after American authorities turned down his diplomatic passport and single entry visa, leading to his repatriation.

Although he was unable to officiate at the global tournament for reasons outside his control, Artan will still receive his full tournament fee, as reported by BBC Sport.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration stated that the referee was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup due to his purported associations with individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organisations.

"What happened has happened and it was fate. I am grateful for the support FIFA gave me," Artan told journalists after arriving in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

"Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad. I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country," he said. "I am now in my country, and there is no other place I want to be."

In an extraordinary turn of events, Artan has been chosen to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.

The high-profile encounter, featuring Champions League winners PSG against Europa League champions Aston Villa, is set for 12 August in Salzburg.

UEFA confirmed that Artan's appointment came after talks with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), giving the Somali referee a chance to take charge of another major international fixture after his World Cup ambitions were thwarted.

Despite the disappointment, he continues to be one of Africa's most respected referees, having developed a strong reputation through numerous high-profile assignments.

In 2025, he was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year. Prior to that, he had officiated several important matches, including the second leg of the CAF Champions League final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns.

His international experience is also noteworthy, having refereed at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he was given charge of the third place play-off.

Artan has also been a prominent figure at the Africa Cup of Nations in both 2024 and 2025, further strengthening his standing as a composed and reliable referee capable of managing high pressure games at the top level.