Nyon, Switzerland — UEFA has named Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan to take charge of the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
The match is scheduled for August 12 at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria. Artan, 34, becomes the first referee from Somalia to officiate a major UEFA club final.
The appointment comes just days after Artan was dropped from the referee list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport despite holding a valid visa. FIFA confirmed he would miss the tournament as a result.
Artan had been set to make history as the first Somali official at a World Cup. He was named Africa’s best male referee in 2025 and recently handled the second leg of the CAF Champions League final. Upon returning home after the US incident, he received a hero’s welcome in Somalia.
UEFA said the decision followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In a statement, the organization described Artan as a top African referee and highlighted the move as recognition of his abilities while emphasizing football’s role in bringing people together.
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PSG enter the Super Cup as back-to-back UEFA Champions League winners, while Aston Villa qualified by lifting the Europa League title, their first major European trophy in more than four decades.
The appointment has drawn attention for its timing and what it represents for African refereeing. Artan has earned praise for his performances in continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations and CAF club events.
This story is still developing as more details emerge about the match officials team and reactions from the clubs involved.
