UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, previously barred from entering the United States ahead of the World Cup, to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.

Artan will take charge of the match between Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League winners, and Aston Villa, Europa League champions, scheduled for 12 August in Salzburg. The decision was confirmed by UEFA after consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised Artan’s experience and officiating quality, describing him as a referee who has demonstrated “outstanding officiating skills” at the highest levels of African football. He added that football should promote unity and expressed appreciation for CAF President Patrice Motsepe’s support for the appointment.

Artan was originally selected among 52 referees for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, he was later denied entry into the US after arriving at Miami International Airport, with authorities alleging links to suspected terrorist organisations, rendering him ineligible for admission. FIFA subsequently confirmed his removal from the tournament.

Following the incident, Artan returned to Somalia, where he received a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu and expressed confidence about returning to officiate at a future World Cup, including the 2030 edition.

The UEFA appointment is being seen as a significant career boost after his World Cup exclusion.