UEFA have announced that referee Omar Artan will officiate the 2026 Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.
The move comes after for the World Cup because of s”.
Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed as the referee for the Uefa Super Cup Credit: Getty
Artan was due to ref at the World Cup but had his entry denied into the United States denied Credit: Getty
He was set to become Somalia’s first referee at a World Cup after making ‘s final list for the tournament.
The 34-year-old was also named as Africa’s best male referee in 2025.
He was given a hero’s welcome upon his return to his home country’s capital, Mogadishu.
Artan told fans at the airport: “What happened has happened and it was unfortunate. I am grateful for the support Fifa gave me.
“Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad. I want to tell our youth not to lose hope in our country. I am now in my country, and there is no other place I want to be.
“I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one. I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.”
Following that news, which prompted Fifa president regarding the US immigration issues for fans, players and officials alike, have appointed Artan to whistle the Super Cup between and on August 12.
A statement from the body released on June 11 hours before the World Cup curtain raiser between Mexico and said: “The decision to appoint Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match has been made in the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) recently signed between UEFA and CAF to encourage cooperation in many areas, including .
It comes after discussions between Uefa and Caf Credit: AFP
“UEFA and CAF are united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination.”
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: “Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football.
“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.”
Dr Patrice Motsepe, CAF president, added: “Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent, extremely proud.
“His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the Fifa are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys.
“I am very thankful to my friend, Aleksander Čeferin for enabling Omar Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup 2026 match.
“This is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and is also an excellent example of football, bringing together and uniting people from Africa and Europe and worldwide.”
Despite the magnitude of the gesture, it may not go all the way in healing Artan after he admitted the by the banning order.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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