Somali Referee Omar Artan Appointed for UEFA Super Cup

Omar Artan, a Somali referee, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup scheduled for August 12, 2026, in Salzburg, Austria, where Paris Saint-Germain will face Aston Villa. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin commended Artan's outstanding officiating skills, which earned him a prestigious nomination.

Artan has previously been recognized as the CAF Men's Referee of the Year for 2025 and is noted for his experience at the highest competitive levels of football. However, Artan's case is complicated by a ban from entering the United States, as the U.S.

State Department suspects him of being a member of a terrorist organization, making him ineligible for travel. Despite this, FIFA confirmed that he is no longer part of the World Cup roster.

Artan's appointment is seen as a source of pride for Somalia and the African continent, with hopes for his participation in the next World Cup in 2030.