The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has selected Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match, making him the first referee from outside the continent to take charge of the competition since its inception.
Artan’s appointment carries significance beyond refereeing, capping a rising career and a harsh ordeal that denied him an appearance at the World Cup just weeks ago, before UEFA granted him one of the biggest matches of the season.
Match Date: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa
The UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Salzburg Stadium in Austria, kicking off at 10:00 PM Cairo and Makkah time.
PSG enters the match as Champions League winners, while Aston Villa secured their spot after winning the Europa League, in a clash pitting Luis Enrique against Unai Emery for the new continental season’s first silverware.
The French club seeks to retain the title for the second consecutive season, while Aston Villa aims to add a second UEFA Super Cup trophy to their cabinet following their first win in 1982.
Who is Omar Artan, the UEFA Super Cup Referee?
Artan, 34, joined the FIFA international list in 2018 before gradually establishing himself among Africa’s top referees.
The Somali referee previously participated in the Africa Cup of Nations, making history as the first referee from his country to appear in the tournament, before becoming the first Somali to officiate a CAF Champions League final.
Artan refereed the second leg of the 2025 Champions League final between Pyramids and Mamelodi Sundowns, before featuring again in the second leg of the 2025-2026 final between AS FAR and Sundowns, reaffirming CAF’s trust in his abilities.
He was named the 2025 Men’s African Referee of the Year and was selected by FIFA among a 52-referee panel for the 2026 World Cup—an achievement that would have made him the first Somali referee at the tournament.
Artan stated prior to his European mission that this would be his first match officiating in Europe, emphasizing that he carefully studied Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa and feels proud to referee a match of this magnitude.
What Happened to the Somali Referee in the United States?
Artan’s dream of participating in the World Cup turned into a shock upon his arrival at Miami Airport from Istanbul last June, when US authorities denied him entry and turned him back.
US Customs and Border Protection stated that the Somali referee was deemed ineligible for entry due to “concerns related to security vetting procedures,” while an American official cited alleged links to individuals suspected of ties to terrorist organizations, without offering public evidence to back those claims.
FIFA later confirmed that Artan would not be able to attend the mandatory referees’ camp or officiate World Cup matches, clarifying that immigration and visa decisions fall entirely under the host nation’s authority.
Artan described that period as extremely difficult after years of working to reach the World Cup, but expressed gratitude for the immense support he received from around the world.
Days after the incident, UEFA agreed with CAF to assign him the UEFA Super Cup match, a gesture viewed as support for the Somali referee and recognition of his career, giving him the opportunity to make history through the first European match of his career.
