Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the Somali referee whose dream of officiating at the World Cup was curtailed by a denial of entry into the United States, has been selected by UEFA to take charge of the Super Cup. This prominent European fixture will see Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Europa League holders Aston Villa on 12 August, a significant appointment for the official.
Artan was reportedly refused entry to the US for the World Cup, which kicks off this week, due to alleged connections to "suspected members of terror organisations," leading to him being deemed a "national security threat." Despite possessing what he maintained was the correct visa, the decision at border control prevented him from participating in the tournament, a setback he described as destroying "the biggest dream of my life." This incident has drawn criticism towards the US administration and FIFA regarding their commitment to inclusivity for the global football event.
Following his return to Somalia, where he received a warm reception, Artan's appointment by UEFA for the Super Cup is seen as a strong endorsement of his officiating abilities. A UEFA statement confirmed the decision, highlighting Artan's rapid ascent in the refereeing world. "Despite his young age, Artan has established himself as one of the world’s top referees and has been on the Fifa international list since 2018," the statement read. It further noted his officiating of the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final and his recognition as the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
UEFA's decision to appoint Artan also appears to underscore its "core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination," as stated by the organisation. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised Artan as "an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level." This move by UEFA could be interpreted as a contrasting stance to FIFA, whose president, Gianni Infantino, has faced scrutiny over comments regarding inclusivity and visa issues affecting other World Cup participants, including Iranian team staff members.
For Aston Villa, the match against Paris Saint-Germain represents another significant European outing following their Europa Conference League triumph. The appointment of Artan to such a high-profile game ensures that the contest will be under the supervision of an official widely regarded for his competence and experience on the African continent, despite the recent controversy surrounding his World Cup exclusion.