UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, in a move European football’s governing body described as a recognition of the official’s outstanding credentials and a demonstration of football’s power to unite people across continents.
The appointment, announced Thursday, follows consultations between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas including refereeing.
Artan will take charge of the Aug. 12 showpiece in Salzburg between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League holders Aston Villa.
The decision comes weeks after Artan was unable to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being selected by FIFA as a match official. The Somali referee was not allowed entry into the United States, denying him what would have been a historic appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination,” UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said.
“I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative.”
At just 34 years old, Artan has emerged as one of Africa’s most highly regarded referees. A FIFA-listed official since 2018, he officiated the second leg of the 2025-26 CAF Champions League final and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe described the appointment as a moment of pride not only for Somalia but for the entire African continent.
“Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent extremely proud,” Motsepe said.
“His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys.”
Motsepe added that Artan’s selection for the UEFA Super Cup represented “a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees” and demonstrated football’s ability to bring together people from Africa, Europe and around the world.
The appointment is among the most significant refereeing assignments ever awarded to a Somali official and highlights growing cooperation between UEFA and CAF. The two confederations said they share a commitment to developing football at all levels while promoting unity, equality and non-discrimination.
For Artan, the Super Cup assignment offers an opportunity to showcase his abilities on one of club football’s biggest stages after missing out on the World Cup, while also serving as a landmark moment for African officiating in the global game.
