Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 European Super Cup, just days after being ruled out of the FIFA World Cup following a United States entry ban.
The announcement was made by UEFA on Thursday, with the European football governing body confirming that Artan will take charge of the prestigious fixture on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
The match will feature UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa.
Artan’s appointment comes after a difficult period that saw him barred from entering the United States upon arrival at Miami International Airport.
The decision subsequently led to his removal from the list of officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Despite the setback, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin praised the Somali official and expressed confidence in his abilities.
“Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football,” Ceferin said.
“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.”
UEFA stated that the appointment was made following discussions with the Confederation of African Football as part of an ongoing cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening football development and exchanges between the two organisations.
According to UEFA, the decision reflects a shared commitment to promoting equality, unity and non-discrimination within the global game.
The appointment has also been welcomed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who described Artan as a source of pride for both Somalia and the African continent.
“His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys,” Motsepe said.
He added that Artan’s selection for the European Super Cup represents a major honour for African referees and demonstrates football’s ability to unite people across continents.
The referee’s exclusion from the World Cup generated widespread attention after a United States State Department official stated that Artan had been linked to individuals suspected of ties to terrorist organisations, making him ineligible for admission into the country.
Following the decision, FIFA confirmed that Artan would no longer participate in the World Cup tournament.
Also Read: Lassana Diarra Settles Long-Running €65m Legal Battle With FIFA and Belgian FA
His original inclusion among the 52 referees selected for the global competition had been celebrated across Somalia, where many viewed it as a landmark achievement for the country’s football development.
After returning home to Mogadishu earlier this week, Artan received a hero’s welcome from supporters and officials.
Speaking after his arrival, he remained optimistic about his future and vowed to continue pursuing opportunities at the highest level of the game, including a possible appearance at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
