Omar Artan to Officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup Final After World Cup Visa Denial
Somali referee Omar Artan will be in charge of the upcoming UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. This appointment comes after a surprising turn of events where he was barred from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
First Non-European to Lead UEFA Super Cup
At 34, Artan makes history as the first non-European referee to oversee the UEFA Super Cup. He previously made waves as the first Somali official to manage the CAF Champions League final and won the African federation's men's referee of the year award in 2025. His selection for the 2026 World Cup marked another first for Somalia.
World Cup Setback Due to U.S. Entry Denial
Artan arrived in Miami on June 8 to prepare for the World Cup but was denied entry by U.S. immigration despite holding a valid visa. Subjected to extra screening, officials cited "vetting concerns" linked to Somalia's status on a travel ban list enacted during the Trump administration. As a result, FIFA confirmed he could neither train nor officiate at the World Cup. FIFA stated that visa and admission decisions rest solely with host country authorities.
UEFA Response and Support
Just three days after his exclusion from the World Cup, UEFA named Artan as referee for the Super Cup final in Salzburg. This decision reflects a memorandum signed earlier in the year fostering closer collaboration between UEFA and the African football confederation (CAF), especially in refereeing matters.
“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,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. “I am grateful to my friend CAF president Patrice Motsepe for supporting our initiative enthusiastically.”
Artan expressed gratitude for the global support he has received. He shared with UEFA.com, "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."
He also reflected on the significance of this moment for himself and his family, noting the pride of the Somali community in Europe and Austria. "I have worked very hard to be here and I’m really proud," he said. "As you can imagine, I grew up in a difficult situation, but it didn’t prevent me from pursuing my dreams."
Match Details
- Event: 2026 UEFA Super Cup Final
- Teams: Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa
- Venue: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
- Referee: Omar Artan
