Omar Artan Named to Referee UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg
The Somalia referee will miss the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the U.S. despite carrying a diplomatic passport and single-entry visa.
UEFA has appointed Somalia referee Omar Artan to oversee the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. The appointment comes after Artan failed to work at the 2026 World Cup because he was denied entry to the United States. According to BBC, Artan had traveled to Miami with a diplomatic passport and a single-entry visa, but border officers turned him away. FIFA later confirmed he would miss the tournament. Artan, who has been on FIFA's international referees list since 2018 and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year 2025, had previously been in line to become the first person from Somalia to officiate a World Cup finals match.