Top African referee Omar Artan will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners Aston Villa FC.
UEFA announced this in an official statement on Thursday, June 11, 2026, after the Somalian was unable to participate in the FIFA World Cup.
Artan had been included by FIFA in the match officials’ list for the FIFA World Cup 2026 but could not participate as he was not allowed to enter the United States.
The development has since become the talk of the football community.
However, a few days after his denial, UEFA stated that the 34-year-old has been appointed to handle the Super Cup on 12 August in Salzburg.
“Following discussions with its sister confederation, Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), UEFA has today appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, which will take place on 12 August in Salzburg between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa FC,” the statement said.
According to UEFA, its decision was made in the framework of Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) recently signed between UEFA and CAF to encourage cooperation in many areas, including refereeing.
“UEFA and CAF are united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin described Omar Artan as an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the African continent.
“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,” he said.
Omar Artan has established himself as one of the world’s top referees and has been on the FIFA international list since 2018.
Among the most notable matches he has officiated is the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final.
In recognition of his performances, he received the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025.
