FIFA to pay Somali referee Omar Artan his full World Cup tournament fee after being barred from United States
Goal | 14.06.2026 18:16
Artan had arrived in Florida with high hopes of representing his nation on the biggest stage in football. However, his journey was cut short when US authorities rejected his diplomatic passport and single-entry visa, leading to his immediate deportation. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, FIFA officials provided assistance to the referee during his transit in Istanbul before he returned home to Mogadishu.
