Somali referee Omar Artan has been handed a prestigious opportunity on the European stage after UEFA officially appointed him to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
The showpiece encounter will take place on August 12 at Red Bull Arena, bringing together the reigning UEFA Champions League winners PSG and Europa League champions Aston Villa.
Artan’s appointment carries historic significance and comes as part of the ongoing cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF aimed at promoting diversity and integration in elite officiating.
For the 34-year-old official, the appointment represents a remarkable turnaround after a difficult few weeks. Artan had been selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was set to become the first Somali referee in the tournament’s history.
However, those dreams were shattered when he was denied entry into the United States and subsequently ruled out of the World Cup.
Despite that setback, Artan has received strong backing from football authorities and supporters alike. His latest appointment ensures he will still take charge of one of the most prestigious fixtures in world football this year.
The recognition also reflects Artan’s growing reputation within the game. The Somali official was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 and has consistently been regarded as one of Africa’s leading match officials.
Now, instead of officiating at the World Cup, Artan will oversee a major European final featuring some of the biggest stars in the game, providing a fitting response to the disappointment that threatened to overshadow his historic rise.
