Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
US officials at Miami International Airport questioned him for about 11 hours on June 6.
He held a valid visa and diplomatic passport but was turned away over alleged vetting concerns.
Authorities cited possible links to individuals tied to terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab. Artan denied any associations.
FIFA confirmed he could not officiate or train in the US. All officials required basing there for the tournament.
On June 14, FIFA announced it would pay Artan his full tournament fee. The amount is settled post-event.
The 34-year-old became the first Somali selected as a World Cup referee. He was CAF Referee of the Year in 2025.
Artan described the opportunity as his biggest dream. He expressed disappointment but looks ahead to future tournaments.
Social media reacted swiftly to the news. Many users highlighted the payment as a supportive gesture from FIFA.
Others debated immigration policies and security protocols during major events.
The incident has sparked discussions on visa processes for international sports officials.
FIFA stated it has no role in host country immigration decisions.
Artan has since been assigned another high-profile match as further recognition.
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