Somali referee Omar Artan has expressed his gratitude for the worldwide support he received after being denied entry to the United States, a setback that prevented him from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being selected for the tournament.
Artan, 34, will now channel that disappointment into another historic assignment when he takes charge of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.
His appointment makes him the first non-European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup, providing another landmark moment in a career that has seen him repeatedly break barriers.
Artan Opens Up on World Cup Disappointment
Artan was among the referees selected for the 2026 World Cup but was refused entry into the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport on June 6.
His inability to enter the country meant he could not take part in the tournament despite having earned his place through his performances and years of international experience.
The development was particularly painful given the significance of the World Cup to his career. “It was a very tough period,” Artan said. “A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging.”
Rather than dwell on the disappointment, the Somali official has chosen to focus on the support he received from across the football world.
“I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world, though; I’m so grateful.”
Omar Artan
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had said he was powerless to overturn the US authorities’ decision as Somalia is among the countries affected by a US travel ban.
Historic Super Cup Opportunity
Artan was informed of his UEFA Super Cup appointment shortly after returning from the United States, transforming what had been a difficult period into a moment of celebration for him and his family. “When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment,” he said.
The appointment is another significant milestone for a referee who has spent the past decade building his reputation. He became the first Somali to officiate a CAF Champions League final and was later named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
He also became the first Somali official to referee at the Africa Cup of Nations when he took charge of a match at the 2024 tournament.
Wednesday’s clash will see PSG, the defending UEFA Super Cup champions, face Aston Villa in a meeting between the winners of Europe’s two premier club competitions.
Artan will be supported by two other African officials, with Djibouti’s Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed and Kenya’s Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe serving as assistant referees.
Artan Ready for Another Landmark
The appointment comes through the cooperation framework established between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football, with refereeing among the areas covered by their memorandum of understanding.
Artan believes the exchange can benefit officials from both continents. “For me, it’s fantastic that CAF is working with UEFA,” he said. “I believe that CAF referees can learn a lot from UEFA, and UEFA referees can also learn a lot from CAF. It’s mutually beneficial.”
He has maintained his sharpness by officiating league matches in Somalia and took charge of the Kuwaiti Premier League title decider in June.
Ahead of his first match in Europe, Artan has also been studying PSG and Aston Villa closely, analysing their tactical approaches, player behaviour and playing patterns.
“I always watch the teams play. I go through and do a lot of research on the teams, how they play, learn their behaviours, tactics and a lot of things like that.”
Referee Omar Artan
For Artan, the Super Cup represents another opportunity to demonstrate how far he and Somali refereeing have come. “I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can,” he said. “You can do whatever you want to do. Don’t ever stop dreaming.”
After a World Cup opportunity was taken away from him, Artan now has another stage on which to make history. On Wednesday, he will lead PSG and Aston Villa into one of European football’s most prestigious fixtures, with the support he received after his disappointment serving as another source of motivation.
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