Imagine preparing for the biggest moment of your career, only to be turned away at the border. That's exactly what happened to Somali referee Omar Artan, but FIFA has stepped in with a gesture of support that is winning praise worldwide.

According to cbinewstv, Somali referee Omar Artan will still receive his full World Cup payment from FIFA, despite being denied entry into the United States and missing out on officiating at the tournament.

The 34-year-old referee arrived at Miami International Airport on Monday expecting to fulfil a lifelong dream. Instead, he was detained and questioned by US immigration officials for around 11 hours before being informed that he would not be allowed into the country.

Artan's diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa were ultimately rejected. A US government official reportedly linked the decision to an alleged association with individuals suspected of ties to terrorist organisations.

However, Artan firmly rejected any such allegations. He said officials questioned him about possible links to the Somali militant group Al Shabab, claims he strongly denied.

"I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," Artan said.

"I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."

Following the decision, Artan was placed on a flight to Turkey. FIFA representatives assisted him during a stopover in Istanbul before he eventually returned home to Mogadishu.

Despite the heartbreaking setback, sources told BBC Sport that FIFA has committed to paying Artan the full amount he would have earned at the World Cup, even though he will not officiate any matches. Tournament officials are typically paid after the competition concludes and are not informed of their exact earnings in advance.

The disappointment has not slowed down Artan's remarkable rise in football officiating. The award-winning referee has already received an invitation to officiate the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August.

Back in Somalia, Artan received a warm welcome from supporters and expressed his gratitude to everyone who stood by him during the ordeal.

He thanked "my people and my country" for their support and remains determined to achieve his dream of officiating at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

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