Omar Artan to Officiate UEFA Super Cup After Missing FIFA World Cup

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, just days after missing out on the FIFA World Cup due to entry issues in the United States. The appointment is being viewed across the football world as recognition of one of Africa’s most respected match officials.

The 34-year-old referee will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12. UEFA confirmed the appointment on Thursday as part of its refereeing selections for major European club competitions.

Artan had originally been selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a historic achievement that would have made him the first Somali referee to work at football’s biggest tournament. However, he was unable to participate after being denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa, leading to his removal from the World Cup officiating roster.

UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said the Super Cup appointment reflects Artan’s outstanding performances and growing reputation in international football. The assignment also comes under a new cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF aimed at strengthening refereeing development and exchanges between the two organizations.

Artan has enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years. A FIFA-listed referee since 2018, he was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 and has officiated at major continental tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations. His achievements have made him one of the most prominent football officials on the African continent.

Football leaders praised the decision, with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and CAF President Patrice Motsepe describing Artan as an elite referee whose abilities deserve recognition at the highest level. The appointment has also been celebrated in Somalia, where Artan is regarded as a national sporting icon.

The UEFA Super Cup assignment ensures that, despite the disappointment of missing the World Cup, Artan will still officiate one of the most prestigious matches in world football this year, further cementing his place among Africa’s leading referees.