UEFA appoints Somali referee Omar Artan to Super Cup following US visa exclusion
Aleksander Čeferin says appointment is a gesture of respect for Artan’s professional standing, despite US government vetting concerns.
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 at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria, will see Paris Saint-Germain face Aston Villa. The appointment follows Artan’s exclusion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup roster after he was denied entry into the United States.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin described Artan as an excellent young but already experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football. Čeferin stated that the organisation wanted to show respect for Artan’s outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination. The decision was made after discussions with CAF, with Čeferin expressing gratitude to CAF president Patrice Motsepe for supporting the initiative.
Artan, 34, was denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport on 6 June due to vetting concerns, preventing him from officiating at the World Cup. He held a valid diplomatic passport and a single-entry visa at the time of the denial. According to a US official, US Customs and Border Protection determined he was inadmissible due to an association with suspected members of terror organizations.
FIFA confirmed it would not challenge the US decision, noting that host governments determine visa admissions. FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated that the organisation tried to intervene but could not control the outcome. Infantino described the situation as unfortunate but emphasised that FIFA does not control everything, suggesting that sometimes it is necessary to remain relaxed in the face of such administrative hurdles.
Artan arrived in Mogadishu on Wednesday and was welcomed by supporters and government officials. He expressed disappointment regarding the US decision but confirmed his intention to officiate the 2030 World Cup. "I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one," Artan said, urging the Somali public to remain confident. He had previously been named the 2025 Confederation of African Football referee of the year and became the first person from Somalia to referee a continental final in 2024.
