DAR ES SALAAM: SOMALI referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, following coordination with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
The appointment was confirmed by Confederation of African Football (CAF) communique, stating that, the match is scheduled for August 12th this year.
CAF has that thecmatch will be played in Salzburg, Austria, and will featured UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa FC.
CAF described the appointment as part of ongoing technical cooperation with UEFA, aimed at increasing elite-level opportunities for African match officials in major European competitions. The decision places Artan at the centre of one of UEFA’s marquee fixtures at the start of the 2026–27 European season.
The appointment comes days after a widely reported setback in Artan’s career, when he was unable to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being selected among the tournament’s officiating panel.
According to reports from BBC Sport Africa and NBC News, he was denied entry into the United States after extended questioning by immigration authorities, preventing him from attending the referees’ training base in Miami and ending his World Cup involvement before the tournament began.
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Those reports also indicated that Artan’s case formed part of broader scrutiny affecting several officials and football personnel ahead of the tournament, drawing attention within the global football community to visa and travel restrictions impacting sporting participation.
Despite that disappointment, Artan has maintained a strong standing within African football, having officiated in CAF Champions League fixtures, Africa Cup of Nations matches, and other high-level continental competitions. CAF officials have previously highlighted him as one of the continent’s leading referees, reflecting a steady rise through international officiating ranks.
The UEFA Super Cup assignment is seen within football circles as a significant vote of confidence in his experience and performance at elite level. It also underscores growing cooperation between CAF and UEFA in the development and deployment of top refereeing talent across continental competitions.
CAF communities confirmed the appointment, while UEFA is yet to issue an independent public statement on the officiating team for the match.