Somali referee Omar Artan has received a major vote of confidence from European football’s governing body, UEFA, after being appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup despite recently being ruled out of the FIFA World Cup, Trybal News reports.
UEFA announced on Thursday that Artan will take charge of the prestigious curtain-raiser between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League champions Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
The appointment comes just days after the highly-rated official was denied entry into the United States and subsequently removed from FIFA’s referee roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised Artan’s abilities, describing him as one of Africa’s leading referees.
Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football,” Ceferin said.
Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination.”
UEFA stated that Artan’s appointment was made in consultation with the Confederation of African Football as part of ongoing cooperation between the two confederations aimed at developing the game and promoting unity, equality and non-discrimination.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe welcomed the decision, describing it as recognition of Artan’s world-class credentials and a proud moment for African football.
His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award in 2025 and his appointment as a referee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys,” Motsepe said.
He added that the Super Cup appointment was not only a personal honour for Artan but also a significant achievement for African referees, highlighting football’s power to unite people across continents.
Artan’s exclusion from the World Cup had sparked widespread reaction across Africa. The Somali official was denied entry into the United States upon arrival in Miami last weekend, with American authorities reportedly citing security-related concerns. FIFA subsequently confirmed that he would no longer be part of the tournament’s officiating team.
His original inclusion among the 52 referees selected for the World Cup had been celebrated as a historic achievement in Somalia and across the African football community.
The 2025 CAF Referee of the Year returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu earlier this week, where he expressed determination to continue his officiating journey and target selection for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
UEFA’s decision to hand Artan one of European football’s most prestigious officiating assignments represents a significant endorsement of the Somali referee’s standing in the game and ensures that his remarkable rise on the international stage continues despite the disappointment of missing this year’s World Cup.
