Who is the referee for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final? Omar Artan 'proud' after World Cup exclusion

Who is the referee for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final? Omar Artan ‘proud’ after World Cup exclusion originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Back-to-back Champions League kings Paris Saint-Germain face Europa League winners Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

Selection for a showpiece occasion for any referee is a proud moment. By the same token, most officials would rather not be the story – if they manage to keep a low profile, it probably means they didn’t drop any major howlers.

But when the man in the middle leads out PSG and Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, he is sure to be the focus of attention, at least for a short time until he blows for kickoff.

MORE:List of UEFA Super Cup winners: All the clubs to win the trophy every year

Who is the UEFA Super Cup final referee?

Somali referee Omar Artan will become the first non-European to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup.

The 34-year-old was the first referee from his country to oversee the CAF Champions League final and won the African federation’s men’s referee of the year award in 2025.

Artan was then selected to referee at the 2026 World Cup, another first for a Somali official.

What happened next is ultimately the reason for him being in Austria this week.

What happened to Omar Artan at the World Cup?

Artan arrived in Miami, where FIFA based its match officials throughout the World Cup, on June 8 but was denied entry to the United States.

Artan told The New York Times that he landed in the U.S. with all his documents in order, including a valid visa. He was subjected to additional screening upon arrival. At the end of that process, U.S. authorities determined he was inadmissible due to “vetting concerns” and turned him away.

Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present. 

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

Why is Omar Artan the UEFA Super Cup referee?

Three days after Artan was barred from entering the United States, UEFA announced he would take charge of this year’s Super Cup. It followed a memorandum of understanding signed in April of this year encouraging greater cooperation between UEFA and CAF in many areas, including refereeing.

“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. “I am grateful to my friend CAF president Patrice Motsepe for supporting our initiative enthusiastically.”

Speaking to UEFA.com, Artan said: A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging. I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world, though; I’m so grateful.”

He added: “When we got this call, it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment,” he said. “There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria, and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this. 

“I have worked very hard to be here and I’m really proud,” he said. “As you can imagine, I grew up in a difficult situation, but it didn’t prevent me from pursuing my dreams.”