After WC snub, Somali referee Artan set to officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup match
Context mode is active. Hover over any highlighted term to see its definition. Click a nested term to go deeper.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, Africa's reigning referee of the year, was abruptly barred from entering the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026 last Saturday, despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid visa, sparking an international outcry. Just days after his unexpected deportation from Miami International Airport, Artan has been appointed to officiate the prestigious UEFA Super Cup 2026 final in Salzburg, Austria, a decisive rebuttal by European football's governing body to the American snub. The US Customs and Border Protection cited vague 'vetting concerns' and 'derogatory information' allegedly linking Artan to 'suspected members of terror organizations,' without providing specifics, a decision that has been strongly criticized by Somali officials and the wider football community. This incident highlights the ongoing complexities of international travel under the current US administration's travel restrictions, even for accredited sports officials. In a clear show of solidarity and recognition of his talent, UEFA, in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), moved swiftly to assign Artan to the high-profile match between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa. Artan's appointment to the August 12 final in Salzburg not only offers him a prominent platform after the World Cup disappointment but also underscores a growing collaboration between UEFA and CAF, formalized by a recent Memorandum of Understanding aimed at fostering referee development. This swift action by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and CAF President Patrice Motsepe sends a powerful message about unity and meritocracy in global football, potentially paving the way for more integrated officiating across confederations while challenging politically motivated travel barriers. All eyes will now be on Salzburg, where Artan's performance will be a testament to his resilience and the sport's unifying power.