Somali FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has reportedly rejected FIFA’s offer of a $100,000 compensation payment after he was unable to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to being denied entry into the United States.
Artan, who was selected as one of Africa’s representatives for the tournament, said the opportunity to officiate at football’s biggest event meant far more to him than any financial compensation.
According to reports, the Somali official insisted that no amount of money could replace the honour of representing his country and the African continent on the global stage.
“I don’t want compensation. I wanted to referee at the World Cup,” Artan reportedly said, stressing that the missed opportunity was about achieving a lifelong professional dream rather than receiving financial reward.
Despite his absence from the tournament, FIFA announced that Artan would still receive his full tournament remuneration after he was prevented from entering the United States.
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