UEFA has named Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan as the match official for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, handing the celebrated African referee a prestigious assignment just weeks after he was ruled out of officiating at the FIFA World Cup in the United States.
In a statement posted on its official social media channels, UEFA announced that Artan will take charge of the highly anticipated Super Cup clash between French champions Paris Saint-Germain and English side Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.
“Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup! We’re pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg,” UEFA said.
The appointment marks another major milestone in Artan’s remarkable rise in international football officiating. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees, the Somali official was named the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) African Referee of the Year for 2025 and has overseen several high-profile continental and international fixtures.
The UEFA appointment comes amid continued global attention surrounding Artan’s exclusion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The referee was forced to miss the tournament after being denied entry into the United States despite reportedly holding a valid U.S. visa. The development sparked disappointment across Somalia and generated widespread debate within football circles, with many expressing concern that one of Africa’s top referees would be absent from the sport’s biggest stage.
Following the controversy, Artan received strong public support from Somali leaders and football stakeholders. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud personally spoke with the referee, praising his achievements and assuring him that his contributions to the game had brought pride to the nation. The president described Artan as a source of inspiration for young Somalis and commended his professionalism despite the setback.
The referee’s return to Mogadishu after the World Cup controversy was also expected to be marked by a hero’s welcome, with preparations underway in the Somali capital to celebrate his achievements and recognize his growing influence in world football.
UEFA’s decision to hand Artan one of the most prestigious officiating assignments in European football is likely to be viewed as a significant vote of confidence in his abilities. The Super Cup traditionally pits the winners of Europe’s premier club competitions against each other and is regarded as one of the continent’s marquee football events.
The 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa is expected to attract millions of viewers worldwide, placing the Somali referee firmly in the international spotlight once again.
