FIFA urged to pay Somali referee $100,000 after US visa ban sparks widespread outrage

Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup, ending his historic bid to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at the tournament. FIFA has confirmed it will not intervene in the decision, drawing sharp criticism from prominent figures across the football world.

Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has called on FIFA to compensate Artan financially, arguing the governing body failed in its duty to support him. “This appears to be so unfair, depriving a young referee of the opportunity to officiate at a World Cup,” Hackett told Football Insider. “The pathway to the top is incredibly difficult, and this referee has developed a career that has seen him meet the challenges and rise to the elite level. Referees expected to earn in the region of $100,000 (£74,630). So, I hope that FIFA, who have failed in supporting his case, will make a discretionary payment of $100,000 to him and his family.”

Hackett’s call was echoed by former referee Christina Unkel, who described the news as deeply troubling within the officiating community. “It made me incredibly sick,” she said. “It went through the refereeing community — the referees have been in camp in Miami since this past Sunday. The news circulated very quickly that this individual — not because of anything he’s done, a past history, just because he’s been stereotyped due to the country he’s from. It’s not a World Cup if you don’t allow the world to come in.”

Former England and Arsenal forward Ian Wright also added his voice to the growing backlash, pointing to a pattern of visa denials affecting fans, players, officials, and journalists in the build-up to the tournament. “Every few hours it’s another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs,” Wright said. “Is this how the hosts behave really for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world?”

Artan’s exclusion has intensified scrutiny of the United States’ handling of World Cup accreditation and entry procedures, with critics arguing that the refusal undermines the inclusive spirit the tournament is meant to represent. FIFA has yet to respond publicly to the calls for compensation.