Omar Artan Gets UEFA Super Cup After World Cup Snub

Somali referee Omar Artan will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Wednesday after being denied entry to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

UEFA confirmed that Artan has been appointed as the referee for the match in Salzburg, Austria. The game will bring together Champions League winners PSG and Europa League holders Aston Villa.

Artan had originally been selected to officiate at the 2026 World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee to take charge of a men's World Cup match.

However, his tournament was effectively ended before it began when U.S. authorities refused him entry after he arrived at Miami International Airport on June 6.

According to Sky News, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Artan was deemed inadmissible because of “vetting concerns”, although officials did not provide further details.

The decision meant Artan could not fulfil what would have been the biggest assignment of his refereeing career.

Now, UEFA has handed him another major opportunity.

The 34-year-old will become the first non-European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup, making his appointment historic for both himself and Somalia.

Artan has also received support from the football community after the World Cup setback. He said the Super Cup appointment was a joyous moment and thanked those who supported him during the difficult period.

He will be joined by African assistant referees Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed of Djibouti and Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe of Kenya.

From being stopped at the U.S. border to receiving one of UEFA's biggest refereeing assignments, Artan now has another chance to make history.

What a comeback. 🇸🇴👏