Somali Referee Set to Officiate UEFA Super Cup After US Ban

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was not allowed into the United States for the World Cup, was named to officiate UEFA’s Super Cup on Thursday. This announcement came from the governing body of European football.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Omar Artan in a statement released just hours before the World Cup was set to start. He 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."

Ceferin added, "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."

UEFA stated that after discussions with the African confederation, it "has today appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup" on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. This match will feature Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League winners Aston Villa.

Artan’s situation is one of many issues that have overshadowed the lead-up to FIFA’s World Cup. UEFA mentioned that Artan’s appointment is part of an agreement with CAF to promote cooperation.

They stated, "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."

CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed pride in Artan’s achievements. He said Artan had "made Somalia and the entire people of the African continent extremely proud."

Motsepe noted, "His receipt of the CAF men’s referee of the year award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys."

He added that Artan’s appointment to the Super Cup "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."

On Saturday, Artan was denied entry into the US after arriving at Miami International Airport. A US State Department official told AFP that the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations," which made him "ineligible for admission to the United States."

FIFA also confirmed that he would no longer participate in the World Cup. Artan’s selection for the 52 referees for the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States had been a proud moment for his fellow countrymen.

He returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday and promised to take part in the next World Cup in 2030.