In a move that underscores European and African football governing bodies’ commitment to inclusivity and recognition of elite officiating talent, UEFA announced Thursday that Somali referee Omar Artan — who was denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — will take charge of this year’s UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, Austria on August 12. The high-profile match will pit UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League titleholders Aston Villa.
The appointment comes just hours before the opening of FIFA’s flagship 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico and the United States. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin offered unreserved praise for Artan in his official statement, highlighting the referee’s proven track record at the top tier of Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition. “Football exists to bring people across borders together,” Ceferin said. “This nomination is our way of honoring Omar and his exceptional officiating abilities that have already earned him global acclaim.”
Artan’s unexpected snub from the U.S. ranks among the most controversial incidents to mar the pre-tournament buildup to the 2026 World Cup. The 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year was denied entry at Miami International Airport last Saturday, after U.S. State Department officials labeled him ineligible for admission over unsubstantiated claims of association with suspected terrorist organization members. FIFA subsequently confirmed he would be removed from the World Cup officiating roster, a decision that disappointed football fans across Africa and the globe, as Artan’s selection to the 52-referee panel had been a source of enormous national pride for Somalia.
Thursday’s appointment is structured under a long-standing cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF aimed at advancing shared football values of unity, equality and non-discrimination across all levels of the sport. CAF President Patrice Motsepe hailed the decision as a landmark moment for African refereeing, saying Artan’s new posting makes Somalia and the entire African continent extremely proud.
“His selection as a 2026 FIFA World Cup referee and his receipt of the 2025 CAF Referee of the Year award already stand as clear recognition of his world-class skill and the international respect he has earned,” Motsepe noted. “This Super Cup appointment is not just a great honor for Omar Artan and all African referees — it is a powerful example of how football unites people from Africa, Europe and every corner of the globe.”
After being turned away by U.S. immigration authorities, Artan returned to his home city of Mogadishu on Wednesday, where he received a rapturous hero’s welcome from hundreds of supporters. In comments following his arrival, the referee reaffirmed his commitment to his career and vowed to earn a spot on the officiating roster for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.