Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be paid his full tournament fee by FIFA despite being barred from entering the United States to officiate at the World Cup.
The Trump administration denied Artan entry, citing links to suspected members of terror organizations. He was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Africa's 2025 referee of the year had been set to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer's global showpiece. Instead, he returned home to a hero's welcome.
UEFA has since appointed him to officiate the Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa in August.