Somali Referee to Officiate PSG vs Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States over visa complications, has been named by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint‑Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August, ESPN reports.

Artan, 34, returned to Somalia after being turned away from Miami this week, where he had arrived to join the World Cup match‑officials based in Florida.

A U.S. Border and Customs Protection statement cited “vetting concerns” for Artan’s removal, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino told critics to “chill and relax” when asked why FIFA had not resolved the issue that prevented the African referee from entering the U.S.

Sources told ESPN that it would be “impractical” for Artan to be stationed in fellow World Cup host nations Mexico or Canada, because match officials must be in Miami for training and briefings.

Despite the controversy surrounding Artan’s exclusion, UEFA has now appointed him to take charge of the Super Cup, the annual pre‑season clash between Champions League and Europa League winners, in Salzburg, Austria.

A UEFA statement said: “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.”

“Despite his young age, 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.”

“The decision to appoint Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match has been made in the framework of the 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 Ceferin said: “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.”

“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’s appointment will make him the first African official to take charge of a major UEFA final.