Somali Referee Omar Artan Appointed to Officiate UEFA Super Cup Final

PARIS — UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Adan Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, where European champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Europa League winners Aston Villa, in a landmark moment for Somali and African football.

The match is scheduled to take place on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, pitting Champions League winners PSG against Aston Villa, who lifted the Europa League trophy.

UEFA said Artan's appointment followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which recently signed a new cooperation agreement with the European governing body aimed at strengthening various aspects of the game, including refereeing development.

"We’re pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg," it said.

Artan, one of Africa's most highly regarded officials, has been on FIFA's international referees list since 2018. Despite his relatively young age, he has overseen major continental and international fixtures, including the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final.

In 2025, he was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year in recognition of his performances in African competitions.

Although FIFA had previously included Artan among the officials selected for the 2026 World Cup, he was unable to participate after being denied entry into the United States.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin described Artan as a referee of "exceptional quality" who had repeatedly demonstrated his abilities at the highest level, saying the appointment reflected UEFA's respect for his professionalism and achievements in international officiating.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe hailed the decision as a source of pride for both Somalia and the African continent.

"Omar Adan Artan has brought great honour to Somalia and Africa. His appointment to this match, together with his previous achievements, is a testament to his world-class ability and the reputation he has earned in global football," Motsepe said.

The appointment makes Artan one of the highest-profile Somali referees ever entrusted with officiating an official UEFA fixture, marking what many view as a historic achievement for Somali and African refereeing.

GAROWE ONLINE