The reported payment contradicts earlier media reports suggesting that Artan would receive the same full tournament fee as referees selected to officiate at the competition.
The latest claim was reported by Nigerian sports outlet BSN Sports on Friday, 9 October 2026. However, the precise payment has not been independently confirmed by FIFA, and the circumstances surrounding the reported amount remain unclear.
Micky Jnr disputes earlier reports
Micky Jnr said information available to him indicated that FIFA paid Artan $40,000 rather than the full compensation initially reported.
Earlier reports from the BBC, Reuters and the Associated Press said Artan would receive his full tournament fee despite missing the competition after US immigration authorities refused him entry.
Those reports, published in June, cited sources familiar with the matter but did not disclose the exact amount he would receive.
The newly reported figure therefore raises questions about the distinction between the earlier promise of full compensation and the amount Artan is now said to have received.
Why Artan missed the World Cup
Artan was selected among the match officials for the 2026 World Cup but was denied entry upon arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul in June.
US Customs and Border Protection cited vetting concerns. A US government official subsequently referred to alleged associations with suspected members of terrorist organisations, although the details were not publicly established in the reports reviewed.
Artan had reportedly obtained a visa before travelling and was expected to join the tournament’s refereeing preparations. FIFA said it could not override the host country’s immigration decisions. <Cite refs={["turn946481search8","turn360339news8"]}/>
The incident prevented Artan from becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a men’s senior FIFA World Cup.
FIFA yet to clarify the reported $40,000 payment
The reported $40,000 payment has renewed discussion about how FIFA compensated Artan after his exclusion from the tournament.
At present, the exact amount should be treated as a report attributed to Micky Jnr rather than a publicly verified FIFA payment figure. The earlier reports confirmed that Artan was expected to receive compensation but did not publish a specific sum.
Further clarification from FIFA or Artan’s representatives would help establish whether the $40,000 figure represents his full tournament remuneration or another form of payment.
For now, the discrepancy between the earlier reports and the latest claim remains unresolved.