Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Wednesday night. This comes two months after he was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the World Cup.
At 34 years old, Artan was refused entry into the U.S. due to alleged associations with “suspected members of terror organizations”, which the authorities considered a “national security threat.”
Artan, who was named Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, expressed that his “biggest dream of my life” was crushed at the U.S. border despite him claiming to have “the correct visa.”
The decision sparked significant backlash against the Trump administration and FIFA for not fulfilling their promises of inclusivity at the 2026 World Cup, as he was not the only football figure to face entry denial.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino further stirred controversy by responding casually to inquiries about Artan’s refusal during a press conference at the beginning of the World Cup, which led to a series of scandals affecting his standing.
Upon his return to Somalia, Artan was welcomed as a hero, and shortly thereafter, he was designated as the official for the Super Cup by UEFA.
Omar Artan received a hero’s welcome upon returning to Somalia (AFP/Getty)
UEFA has since indicated plans to boycott FIFA competitions in efforts to force Infantino’s resignation, highlighting its commitment to “unity, equality, and non-discrimination” in appointing Artan as referee.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin remarked, “Omar Artan is an exceptional young referee with significant experience at the highest levels of the Confederation of African Football. Football is meant to connect people, and UEFA wishes to honor Omar and his remarkable officiating skills that have earned him such a prestigious nomination. I am thankful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for his enthusiastic support of our initiative.”
Since becoming a FIFA referee in 2018, Artan made history as the first Somali official to work at the Africa Cup of Nations, officiating a group match between Tunisia and Namibia in January 2024.
Artan will take charge of the Super Cup (AFP/Getty)
In May, he also officiated the decisive leg of the African Champions League final in Morocco, celebrating a significant moment in the continent’s club football.
Artan was set to make his World Cup debut in 2026 after serving as a referee for the men’s U20 World Cup in Chile, but this opportunity slipped away when he was denied entry at the U.S. border.