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Omar Artan Referee: Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, just days after he was denied the opportunity to participate in the FIFA World Cup on U.S. soil.
UEFA made the announcement on Thursday, confirming Artan will take charge of the pre-season European showpiece between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa FC.
The match is scheduled for Aug. 12 at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria.
The 34-year-old had arrived in Miami to join the World Cup match officials' base but was blocked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Authorities cited "vetting concerns" as the reason for his removal, a decision that quickly sparked widespread debate across the global football community.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino drew further criticism after telling those outraged by the situation to "chill" and "relax," suggesting the matter was outside FIFA's control.
Artan has been on FIFA's international list since 2018 and received the CAF Men's Referee of the Year Award in 2025.
Among the most notable matches he has officiated is the second leg of the 2025-26 CAF Champions League final.
UEFA's decision to appoint Artan was reached following consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and is widely viewed as a significant recognition of his standing among the world's top match officials.
UEFA noted that the appointment was made within the framework of a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between UEFA and CAF to encourage cooperation, adding that both bodies are "united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination."
The appointment makes Artan the first African official ever to take charge of a major UEFA final.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin praised the decision, saying Artan is "an excellent young but already experienced referee" who has proven himself at the highest level of African football.
Ceferin added that the sport "is made to connect people" and that UEFA wanted to honor Artan's outstanding officiating credentials.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe also welcomed the move. "Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent extremely proud," Motsepe said, adding that Artan's achievements reflect his "world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys."
Artan had originally been selected among 52 match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee in the tournament's history before FIFA removed him from the list following his U.S. entry denial.
His UEFA Super Cup assignment now gives him a major international stage to showcase his talent as the football world watches closely.
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