Somali referee Omar Artan appointed for UEFA Super Cup after being denied US entry for World Cup. He will officiate PSG vs Aston Villa.
Somali referee Omar Artan, barred from entering the US for the 2026 World Cup, will officiate the UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa. The appointment comes after the 34-year-old received a hero's welcome back in Mogadishu, turning a major setback into a new international opportunity .
In one of the most dramatic turnarounds for a match official, Omar Artan’s dream of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was dashed at the border, but the setback has led to an even bigger assignment in Europe. The 34-year-old Somali referee has been appointed by UEFA to take charge of the prestigious UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria . The news comes just days after he was denied entry into the United States, a decision that ruled him out of the global tournament.
Artan, who was set to become the first Somali to referee at a World Cup, was turned away at Miami International Airport on Saturday despite holding a valid visa and diplomatic passport . After being questioned for several hours, he was returned to Istanbul by U.S. border officials. A U.S. government official later cited "association with suspected members of terror organisations" as the reason for the refusal, though no specific evidence was provided. Somalia is currently one of several nations subject to strict travel restrictions under the Trump administration.
FIFA confirmed that due to the travel ban, Artan could not participate in the pre-tournament preparations in Miami, effectively ending his World Cup ambitions . However, in a swift move to support the official, UEFA stepped in following discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The appointment falls under a new Memorandum of Understanding between the two bodies to foster cooperation in refereeing and development.
Despite his young age, Artan has already established himself as one of the top referees in world football. He has been on the FIFA international list since 2018 and was named the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025. He recently officiated the second leg of the CAF Champions League final, and has been praised for his composure and technical skills . UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin described Artan as an "excellent young but already experienced referee" who has proven himself at the highest competition level.
As e be now, Artan don turn disappointment into motivation. After returning to Mogadishu, he received a hero's welcome from senior government officials, the Somali Football Federation, and hundreds of supporters waving the national flag. He thanked the Somali people and FIFA for their support, and even promised to attend the next World Cup. The opportunity to referee the UEFA Super Cup allows him to showcase his talents on the biggest stage in European club football. The match, which kicks off the European season, will now serve as a massive platform for Artan, as he shifts focus from the World Cup disappointment to leading the officiating team for the Champions League winners versus the Europa League champions in Austria.
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