UEFA appoints Somali referee Omar Artan to Super Cup following US visa ban
The Confederation of African Football and UEFA cite unity and cooperation as the referee prepares to officiate the Paris Saint-Germain versus Aston Villa clash in Salzburg.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, a decision made in consultation with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The match, scheduled for 12 August in Salzburg, Austria, will see Paris Saint-Germain face Aston Villa.
The appointment follows Artan’s removal from the FIFA World Cup 2026 roster after he was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. US State Department officials cited his alleged associations with suspected members of terrorist organisations as the basis for his ineligibility, prompting FIFA to confirm his removal from the 52-referee roster for the tournament hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an excellent young referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football. In a statement released shortly before the World Cup was set to begin, Ceferin emphasised that football is designed to connect people and expressed UEFA’s respect for Artan’s outstanding officiating skills and prestigious nomination.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe described the appointment as a significant honour for Artan and African referees, noting that it exemplifies the unity between Africa and Europe. Motsepe highlighted Artan’s receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year award in 2025 and his international standing as evidence of his world-class ability.
Both confederations framed the decision within the context of an accord to encourage cooperation and promote core values of unity, equality, and non-discrimination. Artan returned to Mogadishu on Wednesday to a hero’s welcome, where he vowed to participate in the 2030 World Cup.
