UEFA Appoints Omar Artan to Officiate UEFA Super Cup Final

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was barred from entering the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to America’s travel ban, has been appointed by UEFA as the first non-European to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain in Salzburg.

Travel Ban Halts a World Cup Dream in Miami

What should have been the crowning milestone of a rapid international rise instead became a very tough period for 34-year-old official Omar Artan. Selected to oversee matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport in early June because Somalia sits among the 12 countries listed on America’s travel ban. FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggested that football’s governing body was powerless to overrule the administration under President Donald Trump, leaving the referee grounded and sent home.

Despite missing out on the tournament floor, Artan received full payment for the World Cup from FIFA. Yet the abrupt exclusion left him reeling after years of dedicated climbing through domestic and international ranks. The 34-year-old admitted the emotional toll was significant when talking about what should have been his greatest achievement.

“It was a very tough period, A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging. I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world, though; I’m so grateful.”

Omar Artan, referee

UEFA Steps In With a Historic European Appointment

Relief and redemption arrived within days of his repatriation. UEFA stepped forward, utilizing a recently signed memorandum of understanding with the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) aimed at fostering international refereeing cooperation. Artan was handed the whistle for the UEFA Super Cup clash between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain, scheduled in Salzburg on a Wednesday in August 2026.

The appointment represents a concrete payoff from the collaborative framework established between European and African football bodies at the end of April. CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe praised the breakthrough for the region.

Dr. Patrice Motsepe, CAF president, said that this is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and that it’s an excellent example of football bringing together and uniting people.

Breaking New Ground Across Continents and Competitions

Artan is no stranger to shattering glass ceilings in football officiating. Over an active 18-month stretch, he became the first Somali to oversee a CAF Champions League final, earned the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025, and secured his initial appointment to the FIFA international list of match officials back in 2018 before breaking ground at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024.

His path to elite officiating began early after a minor playing injury cemented his ambitions. From informal neighborhood games to school matches and the Somali domestic league, he forged a solitary trail. Raised apart from his mother after his father died tragically young, Artan acknowledges the steep climb required to reach international standards.

“I was lucky, but I have worked very hard to be here and I’m really proud, As you can imagine, I grew up in a difficult situation, but it didn’t prevent me from pursuing my dreams.”

Omar Artan, referee

Rigorous Preparation and Global Community Support

To stay sharp following his exclusion from the United States, Artan kept active refereeing regular league fixtures in Somalia. He also handled the Kuwaiti Premier League title decider at the end of June, securing yet another milestone. Ahead of the Salzburg showdown, Artan explained his meticulous preparation methods, noting that he studies team behaviors, tactical shifts, and match histories extensively.

UEFA Appoints Omar Artan to Officiate UEFA Super Cup Final — Photo: UEFA

The news of his European debut generated an overwhelming wave of excitement within diaspora populations. Artan noted that the large Somali community residing across Europe and Austria are over the moon with his historic assignment.

The Match Officials Team in Salzburg

Artan leads a truly global officiating crew for the Super Cup fixture, supported by assistants from across African and European federations.

Why a Somali World Cup referee was barred from the United States | The Global Story

Role	Official	Association
Referee	Omar Artan	Somalia
Assistant Referee	Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed	Djibouti
Assistant Referee	Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe	Kenya
Fourth Official	Rade Obrenovič	Slovenia
VAR	Marco Di Bello	Italy
Assistant VAR	Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez	Spain

Reflecting on the milestone, Artan offered a straightforward message for aspiring officials worldwide: I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can. You can do whatever you want to do. Don’t ever stop dreaming.