UEFA appoints Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate August Super Cup after US World Cup denial

UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners Aston Villa. This announcement comes just days after Artan was denied entry to the United States for the FIFA World Cup, with US officials citing alleged links to suspected terrorist organizations—a claim that led FIFA to remove him from the World Cup referee roster.

The appointment, confirmed by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on June 10, 2026, follows discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Ceferin praised Artan as "an excellent young but already experienced referee" who has proven himself at CAF's highest level. CAF president Patrice Motsepe called the honor "a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees," noting it exemplifies football's power to unite people across continents.

Artan returned to Somalia on June 9, 2026, to a hero's welcome in Mogadishu, where he vowed to participate in the 2030 World Cup. A senior Somali sports ministry official said the UEFA appointment resulted from advocacy efforts and upholds principles of integrity and fair play in football.

For Nigerian officials and aspiring referees, this case illustrates both the persistent barriers African professionals face in global sports institutions and the growing recognition of African excellence—showing that perseverance can lead to prestigious international opportunities despite initial setbacks.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/06/11/somali-referee-banned-by-us-to-officiate-uefa-super-cup/