Sports
After US visa setback, UEFA picks Somali referee Omar Artan for 2026 Super Cup
UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate next season’s Super Cup, months after he was reportedly denied entry into the United States to take charge of a World Cup assignment.
The European football governing body confirmed that Artan will referee the match between Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League winners, and Aston Villa, who won the Europa League. The game is scheduled to hold on 12 August in Salzburg.
UEFA said the appointment followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, said Artan’s “outstanding officiating skills” earned him the Super Cup duty.
“Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football, ” Ceferin said.
“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. I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative.”
Artan was among the 52 referees selected for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
However, the Somali was barred from entering the US after arriving at Miami International Airport.
The US authorities claimed that the referee was “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations”, therefore “making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States”.
FIFA also confirmed that he would no longer be part of the World Cup.
He was received with a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday and vowed to take part in the next World Cup in 2030.
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