UEFA announced on Thursday that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final. This decision came just two days after Artan returned to Mogadishu as a national hero, following his exclusion from the World Cup by the United States.
As reported by the EFE agency, Artan will oversee the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.
The appointment was made under the collaboration agreement between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), following negotiations between the two organizations.
UEFA and CAF Show Solidarity
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin justified the choice with a clear message: “Football brings people together, and UEFA wants to show its respect for Omar and his outstanding referee skills.”
CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed gratitude for the gesture and stated, “Artan has made Somalia and the entire African continent proud. This is a significant honor for him, African referees, and an excellent example of how football can unite people across Africa, Europe, and the world.”
Artan's Journey to the UEFA Super Cup
At 34, Artan had been selected by FIFA to officiate the 2026 World Cup, marking him as the first Somali referee in history to be appointed for a World Cup.
However, upon arriving at Miami International Airport last Saturday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection denied him entry after an 11-hour interrogation, citing “issues with the background check process.”
Artan held multiple three-month entry visas and a diplomatic passport issued by the Somali Embassy in Nairobi but was immediately put on a return flight to Istanbul.
Political Context and Artan's Return
An anonymous U.S. official later cited alleged “association with suspected members of terrorist organizations” as the reason for denial; during the questioning, he was asked about Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab.
FIFA confirmed his exclusion from the tournament and noted that it does not participate in the host country's immigration processes.
The incident is part of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, which, through a presidential proclamation on June 4, 2025, suspended entry to the U.S. for nationals from 12 countries, including Somalia, without automatic exceptions for accredited sports officials by international bodies.
On Wednesday, Artan landed in Mogadishu, where dozens of fans, journalists, and officials greeted him with flowers and flags at Aden Adde Airport.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed him and expressed the “absolute” support of the Somali government and people.
Artan has been part of the FIFA international referees list since 2018 and was named Male Referee of the Year by CAF in 2025, a distinction that led to his inclusion in the World Cup list.
After learning of his World Cup exclusion, the Somali referee stated, “The World Cup is the biggest dream of my life,” adding that he hopes to be present in the next edition of the tournament.
Key Questions about Omar Abdulkadir Artan's UEFA Appointment
Why was Omar Abdulkadir Artan denied entry to the United States?
Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States due to alleged “issues with the background check process” and supposed “association with suspected members of terrorist organizations.”
What is the significance of Artan officiating the UEFA Super Cup?
Artan's appointment to officiate the UEFA Super Cup is significant as it represents a show of solidarity from UEFA and CAF, highlighting the unifying power of football and recognizing his exceptional refereeing skills.
How did Somalia react to Artan's exclusion from the World Cup?
Somalia reacted with strong support for Artan, with fans, journalists, and officials greeting him warmly upon his return. The Somali President expressed the government's and people's absolute support for him.