Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed as the centre referee for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, marking a remarkable comeback just days after his heartbreaking absence from the FIFA World Cup.
The highly anticipated match will take place on August 12 at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, with Artan entrusted to oversee one of the most prestigious fixtures in European football.
The appointment comes shortly after a major disappointment for the 34-year-old official, who missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being selected among the tournament’s referees.
Artan had been on course to make history as the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals. However, reports indicate that he was denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport on Monday, despite travelling with a diplomatic passport and a valid single-entry US visa.
