Somali Referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan to Officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup After US Entry Denial

August 12 showdown in Salzburg follows World Cup heartbreak

NYON / MOGADISHU – Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to take charge of the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, just days after being blocked from officiating at the FIFA World Cup due to a denial of entry by US immigration authorities.

Artan, who last year was named Africa’s Best Male Referee, will now preside over the high-profile season opener between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League holders Aston Villa. The match is scheduled for August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, would have seen Artan become the first Somali referee ever to officiate at a global finals. However, US immigration officials denied him entry, effectively ruling him out of the tournament just days ago.

UEFA confirmed that the Super Cup appointment followed direct discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and is part of growing cooperation between the two continental bodies.

“We are delighted to appoint Omar Abdulkadir Artan to the UEFA Super Cup,” a UEFA spokesperson said. “His recognition as Africa’s best male referee in 2025 speaks to his quality, and this appointment reflects our deepening partnership with CAF.”

Artan’s rise represents a landmark moment for Somali football, which has long battled instability and lack of infrastructure. His 2025 CAF award marked the first time a Somali official had received the continent’s top refereeing honor.

Neither Artan nor CAF immediately commented on the US entry denial. US immigration authorities have not publicly detailed the reasons for the decision, which typically can involve visa documentation, security protocols, or administrative checks.

The 2026 UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg will now serve as a career-defining stage for Artan, offering a global platform just weeks after his World Cup hopes were abruptly ended.