UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg.
Key Highlights
- Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup Final.
- The match will be played on August 12, 2026, in Salzburg.
- The final will feature Paris Saint-Germain against Aston Villa.
- Artan’s appointment comes shortly after he missed the opportunity to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to reported immigration-related entry issues despite holding a valid visa.
- He had been expected to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup.
The appointment comes only days after Artan missed the opportunity to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite being widely expected to become the first Somali referee to officiate at football’s biggest tournament.
Artan, regarded as one of Africa’s most respected match officials and the recipient of the 2025 CAF Referee of the Year award, was originally selected for World Cup duties.
However, immigration-related complications reportedly prevented him from entering the United States, one of the host nations of the tournament, despite holding a valid visa.
The development sparked widespread discussion within the global football community, with many expressing disappointment that the historic milestone could not be realised.
UEFA announced that Artan’s appointment to the Super Cup final was made in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football under a growing partnership between CAF and UEFA aimed at improving football development, officiating standards and international cooperation.
Officials from both governing bodies praised Artan’s professionalism, consistency and achievements, describing the appointment as recognition of his outstanding contributions to football officiating.
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The UEFA Super Cup traditionally pits the winners of Europe’s two major club competitions against each other and is regarded as one of the continent’s most prestigious annual fixtures.
For Artan, the appointment represents a significant opportunity to officiate on one of football’s biggest stages and further enhance his growing international reputation.
The news has been warmly received across Somalia and Africa, where football fans and stakeholders have celebrated the decision as a landmark moment for Somali football.
Many observers see the appointment as a strong endorsement of Artan’s abilities and a testament to the progress being made by African referees on the global stage.
His selection for the high-profile encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa is expected to inspire a new generation of referees across the continent while reinforcing Africa’s growing influence in international football officiating.
