Omar Artan Named Referee for UEFA Super Cup After US Entry Denied

Somali official Omar Artan, who missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States because of a border denial, will now oversee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint‑Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August in Salzburg, Austria.

UEFA announced the appointment following talks with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). President Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan’s experience, noting “his proven performance at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football.” He added that the decision reflects UEFA’s commitment to recognising outstanding refereeing talent and to maintaining ties between European and African football.

Artan earned the CAF men’s referee of the year title in 2025 and was set to become the first Somali referee in a World Cup final squad. Despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single‑entry US visa, he was turned away in Miami on grounds that he was “associated with suspected members of terror organisations.” The policy stems from President Donald Trump’s travel‑ban list, which lists Somalia among countries whose citizens face special scrutiny.

The US decision has sparked debate about the intersection of geopolitics and sport. FIFA said it would work closely to ensure matches are chosen for officials with no travel impediments, while UEFA’s appointment underscores the sport’s procedural flexibility when faced with diplomatic barriers.