Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup after being denied entry into the United States and missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 34-year-old was selected as one of the tournament’s match officials but was unable to participate after U.S. authorities refused him entry despite holding a valid visa.
UEFA announced that Artan will take charge of the Super Cup clash between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League holders Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg.
The appointment was made in partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) under a new cooperation agreement between the two organizations.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised Artan’s achievements, noting that his 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year award and World Cup selection reflected his standing as one of Africa’s top officials.
Artan’s World Cup absence comes amid stricter U.S. immigration policies affecting several countries, including Somalia. A U.S. official said he was denied entry due to alleged links to suspected members of terrorist organizations, though no further details were provided.
Despite missing football’s biggest tournament, Artan will now officiate one of Europe’s most prestigious club matches, marking another major milestone in his refereeing career.
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