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Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been selected to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, coming shortly after reports that he was unable to take part in the FIFA World Cup finals due to being denied entry into the United States.
According to reports, Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport on Monday, June 8, despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid single-entry U.S. visa. The incident reportedly prevented him from achieving a historic milestone of becoming the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals.
In response, UEFA has recognised his growing profile by assigning him to one of its major officiating roles. In a statement posted on Thursday, June 11, UEFA confirmed that Artan will referee the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.
The match will feature Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League winners, against Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12, 2026.
UEFA described the appointment as part of its announcement of officials for the prestigious season-opening fixture, highlighting Artan’s inclusion in the high-profile assignment.
Source: citinews
