Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the European Super Cup after being excluded from the 2026 World Cup

Zurich —
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has selected the international Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match, in a step considered one of the most prominent milestones in his international refereeing career.

Artan will oversee the anticipated match between Paris Saint-Germain, the Champions League winner, and Aston Villa, the Europa League winner, scheduled to take place in Austria next August.

This appointment comes weeks after the controversy sparked by the exclusion of the Somali referee from officiating at the 2026 World Cup, following his denial of entry to the United States despite being on the list of approved referees for the tournament.

The UEFA decision is seen as a confirmation of confidence in Artan’s professional competence and his growing status in international refereeing, as the UEFA Super Cup match is one of the most important matches assigned to referees at the continental level.

Artan had returned to Somalia amid a notable popular and official reception, following the crisis that prevented his participation in the global tournament, which sparked widespread discussion within sports circles about the implications of political and administrative decisions on international competitions.

The Somali referee continues to strengthen his presence among the top African and international referees, while being assigned the UEFA Super Cup final represents a new historic milestone in his professional career.