Omar Artan to Officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup Final
Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
UEFA confirmed the appointment ahead of the showpiece fixture scheduled for August 12 at the Red Bull Arena, where UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will face Europa League champions Aston Villa.
Artan’s selection is being described as a major milestone in his career and forms part of ongoing cooperation between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) aimed at promoting diversity and integration in elite refereeing.
The 34-year-old official’s appointment comes after a difficult period in his career. Artan had initially been selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a historic opportunity that would have made him the first Somali referee to take part in the tournament.
However, he was later ruled out of the competition after reportedly being denied entry into the United States, ending his World Cup ambitions.
Despite the setback, Artan has continued to receive strong recognition within international football. He was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading match officials.
His latest appointment to one of European football’s major fixtures is seen as a significant vote of confidence in his abilities and resilience.
Instead of the World Cup stage, Artan will now take charge of one of UEFA’s premier club fixtures, featuring some of the biggest names in world football.
