Somali referee goes from World Cup snub to European final World Cup

In a remarkable twist just days after being excluded from the 2026 World Cup, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup. The match will be between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August in Salzburg, Austria.

Historic appointment for Artan

Artan will become the first Somali referee to take charge of a European Super Cup match. This appointment marks a major milestone in a career. He has risen rapidly to prominence across African and international football.

His UEFA appointment comes in the wake of the controversy over his absence from the World Cup, where travel restrictions prevented him from reaching the United States, despite being selected for the tournament’s referee list. His exclusion attracted global attention, as he had been set to make history as Somalia’s first World Cup referee.

Under the European spotlight

UEFA confirmed the decision in coordination with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This move is part of ongoing efforts to give Africa’s top referees opportunities on Europe’s biggest stages.

Artan, 34, has held international accreditation since 2018. He has earned a reputation as one of Africa’s leading referees through numerous high-profile CAF matches. In addition, he has officiated club and international fixtures.

The UEFA Super Cup, featuring Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa, promises a spotlight on Artan and a chance for the Somali referee to demonstrate his skills on one of football’s most prestigious stages.

Featured image via NurPhoto / Getty Images