MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somali FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has reportedly declined a $100,000 compensation payment offered by FIFA after he was unable to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to being denied entry into the United States.
Artan, who had been selected as one of Africa’s representatives for the tournament, said no financial compensation could replace the opportunity to officiate at football’s biggest event. According to reports, he believes representing both Somalia and the African continent on the World Cup stage was a once-in-a-lifetime honor that cannot be measured in monetary terms.
“I don’t want compensation. I wanted to referee at the World Cup,” Artan reportedly said, emphasizing that the loss was about fulfilling a lifelong professional ambition rather than receiving financial reimbursement.
FIFA had earlier announced that Artan would receive his full tournament remuneration despite being unable to participate after U.S. authorities denied him entry into the country. The governing body reportedly offered additional compensation in recognition of the circumstances that prevented him from taking part in the competition.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion within the football community, with many players, officials, and supporters arguing that while financial compensation may acknowledge the situation, it cannot replace the prestige, experience, and career milestone associated with officiating at a FIFA World Cup. For many referees, selection for the tournament represents the highest achievement in international football after years of dedication and rigorous evaluation.
Artan is widely regarded as one of Somalia’s most accomplished football referees. Over the years, he has officiated numerous high-profile CAF and FIFA competitions, earning international recognition for his performances and becoming one of the few Somali match officials to reach the highest levels of world football.
His absence from the 2026 World Cup has therefore been viewed as a significant loss not only for him personally but also for Somali football and African refereeing.