UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup clash between European champions Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.
The appointment comes just weeks after Artan was reportedly denied entry to the United States, ruling him out of participating in the FIFA Club World Cup despite being selected as one of the tournament’s match officials.
Artan’s latest appointment is seen as a significant vote of confidence from UEFA, with the Super Cup traditionally serving as one of the curtain-raising fixtures of the European football season.
The Somali official has steadily risen through the ranks of African and international refereeing, earning recognition for his performances in CAF and FIFA competitions.
His selection for the high-profile encounter between PSG and Aston Villa highlights UEFA’s trust in his abilities and provides a major opportunity on one of European football’s biggest stages.
The UEFA Super Cup is scheduled for August and will pit Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League champions Aston Villa.
