Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August, after being blocked from entering the United States for the FIFA World Cup.
UEFA announced the appointment on Thursday following consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“Following consultations with our sister confederation, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), UEFA has today decided to appoint Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match,” UEFA said in a statement.
Artan, 34, had been selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico through 19 July. However, US authorities denied him entry despite his holding a valid visa, ruling him out of the tournament.
The UEFA Super Cup pits Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League winners Aston Villa, and is one of European football’s most prestigious annual fixtures.
