Somali Referee Omar Artan Banned by US to Officiate European Super Cup

The Unexpected Appointment

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been named to officiate UEFA's Super Cup, European football's governing body announced.

UEFA's Support for Artan

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin poured praise on the Somali referee in a statement released on Thursday, a few hours before global body FIFA's flagship World Cup kicks off.

“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,” said Ceferin.

“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.”

The Super Cup Appointment

UEFA said that after talks with the African confederation, it “has today appointed Somali referee Omar 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.

Background on Artan's US Ban

Artan was barred from entering the US on Saturday after arriving at Miami International Airport.

A US State Department official told the AFP news agency 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.

Reaction from CAF President

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said Artan had “made Somalia and the entire people of the African continent extremely proud”.

“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.”