UEFA appoints Somali referee for Super Cup after World Cup snub
By Adegboyega Adeleye
Just days after being denied entry into the United States and subsequently missing out on officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Somali referee Omar Artan has been selected by UEFA to oversee the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.
Artan, who was on course to become the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup, will handle the Super Cup encounter between UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa. The match is scheduled to take place in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.
UEFA announced the appointment on Thursday, noting that the decision was reached following consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) under a newly established cooperation partnership between both organizations.
The 34-year-old referee has been listed among FIFA’s international match officials since 2018 and was recognised as CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025. One of the standout fixtures in his career was officiating the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin commended Artan, describing him as one of the most promising referees in global football.
“Omar Artan is a talented and highly experienced referee who has consistently demonstrated his quality at the highest level of African football competitions,” Čeferin stated.
“Football should unite people, and UEFA wishes to acknowledge Omar’s exceptional abilities and the remarkable performances that earned him such an important appointment.”
CAF President Patrice Motsepe also praised the development, saying Artan’s accomplishments have brought pride to both Somalia and the African continent.
“Omar Artan has made Somalia and all Africans immensely proud through his achievements,” Motsepe said.
“This appointment is a significant recognition for Omar Artan and African referees as a whole. It also reflects the power of football to connect and unite people across Africa, Europe, and the rest of the world.”
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions over Artan’s absence from the FIFA World Cup. Although he had been selected among the tournament’s match officials, he was reportedly refused entry at Miami International Airport despite possessing a valid visa and FIFA accreditation.
Artan later disclosed that he underwent an 11-hour immigration screening before being detained and placed on a flight back home. FIFA subsequently confirmed that he would not participate in the World Cup, making his situation one of several controversies linked to the tournament, including concerns raised by Iran over withdrawn fan ticket allocations and visa-related challenges affecting some participating countries.