By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Switzerland, June 11, 2026 - Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, marking a remarkable turnaround just days after he was denied the opportunity to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.
UEFA confirmed on Thursday that Artan will take charge of the prestigious encounter scheduled for August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, where UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will face UEFA Europa League champions Aston Villa. The appointment makes Artan the first Somali referee to officiate a major UEFA club final and represents one of the biggest assignments of his career.
The announcement comes less than a week after Artan was removed from FIFA's World Cup officiating list following his inability to enter the United States.
The 34-year-old had been selected among Africa's representatives for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee in the tournament's history. However, U.S. authorities denied him entry despite him holding a valid visa, forcing FIFA to remove him from the competition.
Rather than allowing the setback to define his year, Artan has now been handed one of the most prestigious matches in club football.
According to UEFA, the appointment was made following discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and forms part of a recently signed cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening ties between the two organizations, particularly in refereeing development.
Artan's appointment comes as little surprise to those who have followed his rise over the past few years.
In 2025, he was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year, becoming one of the most highly regarded officials on the African continent. He has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations, CAF Champions League matches, and several high-profile international fixtures.
His reputation continued to grow during the 2025/26 season when he took charge of the second leg of the CAF Champions League final, further cementing his status as one of Africa's elite referees.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised Artan's abilities following the announcement, describing him as an excellent referee who has proven himself at the highest levels of African football. The UEFA chief emphasized that football should unite people and stated that the appointment reflects the organization's respect for Artan's achievements and professionalism.
The significance of this appointment extends far beyond football.
Somalia has rarely been represented on the biggest stages of world football due to decades of challenges facing the country's sporting infrastructure. Artan's rise from Mogadishu to becoming one of FIFA's recognized referees has been widely celebrated across East Africa and the continent as a whole.
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When he was initially selected for the World Cup earlier this year, he became the first Somali referee ever chosen for football's biggest tournament. Although circumstances prevented that historic World Cup appearance, his UEFA Super Cup appointment ensures that he will still take charge of one of the most watched matches of the European football calendar.
His return to Somalia after the World Cup disappointment was met with a hero's welcome, with supporters, sports officials, and members of the public gathering in Mogadishu to celebrate his achievements despite the setback.
The Super Cup will feature two clubs that enjoyed extraordinary seasons.
Paris Saint-Germain enter the match as UEFA Champions League winners after finally establishing themselves as Europe's top club, while Aston Villa arrive as UEFA Europa League champions following one of the greatest campaigns in the club's modern history.
The fixture traditionally serves as the curtain raiser for the European club season, bringing together the winners of UEFA's two major club competitions.
This will provide a global audience and an opportunity for Artan to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the best referees not only in Africa but increasingly in world football.
Beyond the football, UEFA's decision carries symbolic significance.
Many observers viewed Artan's exclusion from the World Cup as one of the most unfortunate stories surrounding the tournament. His appointment to the UEFA Super Cup sends a clear message that his abilities remain highly valued within the game and that his achievements have not gone unnoticed.
For African football, the appointment is another sign of growing recognition for the continent's officials on the global stage. For Somalia, it is yet another historic milestone.
And for Omar Artan himself, the UEFA Super Cup offers the perfect opportunity to remind the football world why he earned his place among the game's elite referees in the first place.
When PSG and Aston Villa walk onto the pitch in Salzburg this August, one of the biggest stories of the night will not just be the players competing for silverware, it will also be the Somali referee standing at the center of the field, representing his country, Africa, and a remarkable journey that continues to inspire football fans around the world.