Somali match official Omar Artan appointed UEFA Super Cup referee
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 11.06.26. | 17:33
UEFA and CAF said the appointment reflects their shared commitment to promoting unity, equality and non-discrimination through football
UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup following consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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The match, set for Wednesday, 12 August in Salzburg, Austria, will feature UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against UEFA Europa League champions Aston Villa.
Artan, who has been on FIFA's international referees list since 2018, has emerged as one of Africa's most respected referees. He officiated the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final and was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year in 2025.
The appointment comes after Artan was unable to take up a place among the match officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after he was not allowed to enter the United States.
UEFA said the decision was made under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with CAF, which seeks to strengthen cooperation between the two confederations, including in the development of referees.
"Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football," UEFA President Aleksander ÄŒeferin said in a statement.
"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."
CAF President Patrice Motsepe described the appointment as recognition of Artan's standing in world football.
"Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African continent extremely proud," said Motsepe.
"His appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and his receipt of the CAF Men's Referee of the Year Award 2025 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys."
Motsepe added that Artan's selection for the UEFA Super Cup was "a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees" and an example of football's ability to unite people across continents.
UEFA and CAF said the appointment reflects their shared commitment to promoting unity, equality and non-discrimination through football while expanding cooperation between the two governing bodies.