Omar Artan, Somali Referee Denied World Cup Access, to Officiate Super Cup
The story of Omar Artan, the Somali referee initially selected by FIFA for the World Cup but subsequently denied entry to the United States, has resonated globally. In a swift response, UEFA has extended an invitation for him to officiate the upcoming UEFA Super Cup match on Wednesday, August 12th, between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
Artan shared with UEFA that being excluded from the World Cup, a significant achievement for both himself and Somalia, was a "very difficult period." He expressed gratitude for the widespread sympathy he received. The news of him officiating the UEFA Super Cup, marking his European debut, brought immense joy to him and his family. "This will be my first match in Europe. Experiencing adventures, creating memories, and learning new things is always great," Artan stated.
The referee, who previously received the CAF Men's Referee of the Year award for 2025 after officiating the CAF Champions League final, highlighted the potential for mutual learning between UEFA and CAF. "For me, it's fantastic that CAF is collaborating with UEFA, the best confederation in the world for referees. The level in Europe is fantastic, and the football they play is really, really good. I believe CAF referees can learn a lot from UEFA, and UEFA referees can also learn a lot from CAF."
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