UEFA appoints Somali referee Omar Artan to Super Cup following US visa exclusion
Omar Artan to officiate Paris St-Germain versus Aston Villa in Salzburg after US authorities barred entry citing security concerns.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the Super Cup match between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa, scheduled for 12 August in Salzburg. The decision follows Artan’s exclusion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup roster after he was denied entry to the United States, despite holding a valid diplomatic passport and single-entry visa.
Artan, who was named the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s referee of the year, had been set to become the first Somali official to referee at a World Cup finals. However, he was turned away by border officials at Miami International Airport on 6 June. A US government official stated that the denial was due to "vetting concerns" regarding his "association with suspected members of terror organisations."
In a statement, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an "excellent young but already experienced referee" who has proven himself at the highest level of African football. Ceferin emphasised that the appointment was made after discussions with CAF and expressed gratitude to CAF president Patrice Motsepe for supporting the initiative.
"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," Ceferin said. The match will see the Champions League winners Paris St-Germain face the Europa League champions Aston Villa.
FIFA confirmed it would not challenge the US decision, noting that host governments determine visa admissions. Artan, who became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018, had previously made history in 2024 as the first person from Somalia to referee a continental final. Somalia remains on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.
