Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been handed a major international assignment after being ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with UEFA naming him as the referee for the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
The appointment comes days after Artan was denied entry into the United States, one of the co-hosts of the ongoing World Cup. The 34-year-old had travelled to Miami to join other tournament officials before being turned back by U.S. authorities over what border officials described as “vetting concerns.”
His exclusion from the tournament sparked widespread debate within the football community, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino describing the situation as unfortunate while urging critics to remain calm.
Following his return to Somalia, UEFA moved swiftly to recognize the highly rated official by appointing him to oversee the Super Cup clash between the reigning UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa.
In a statement, UEFA said the decision was reached in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football as part of a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening football development and refereeing standards between the two governing bodies.
UEFA highlighted Artan’s rapid rise in world football, noting that he has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2018 and recently officiated the second leg of the CAF Champions League final. His performances also earned him the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year award in 2025.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan’s credentials, describing him as a talented and experienced official who has consistently excelled at the highest level of African football.
“This appointment is a recognition of his outstanding refereeing ability and a demonstration of football’s power to unite people across continents,” Ceferin said.
The assignment will make Artan the first African referee to officiate a major UEFA final, marking a historic milestone for African football officiating.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe also welcomed the development, saying Artan’s achievements have brought pride to Somalia and the entire African continent.
According to Motsepe, the referee’s selection for both the World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup reflects the growing international respect for African match officials and their ability to perform on the biggest stages of world football.
Despite missing out on the World Cup, Artan’s latest appointment ensures he remains at the centre of the global football spotlight, with the Super Cup final offering another opportunity to showcase his officiating talents on a prestigious European stage.