Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, marking a historic achievement for African football officials.
UEFA announced that Artan will take charge of the match on August 12 in Salzburg, where UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will face UEFA Europa League champions Aston Villa.
The appointment comes after Artan was unable to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 despite being selected by FIFA among the tournament’s match officials. Reports indicate he could not travel to the United States, preventing him from taking up his World Cup role. 
Despite his relatively young age, Artan has earned a reputation as one of Africa’s leading referees. He has been a FIFA-listed international referee since 2018 and has officiated several high-profile matches, including the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final.
His outstanding performances were recognized when he won the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award in 2025.
UEFA said the decision to appoint Artan was made in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as part of a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in areas such as referee development and football administration.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised Artan’s achievements and experience at the highest level of African football.
“Omar Artan is an excellent young referee who has already demonstrated his quality in major competitions. Football should bring people together, and UEFA is proud to recognize his talent and dedication,” said Čeferin.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe also welcomed the appointment, describing it as a proud moment for Somalia and the African continent.
“Omar Artan has made Somalia and Africa proud. His achievements reflect his world-class ability and the respect he has earned internationally. His appointment to officiate the UEFA Super Cup is a great honour for African referees and highlights the power of football to unite people across continents,” said Motsepe.
Artan’s selection for one of Europe’s biggest club matches is being celebrated across Africa as a major milestone for refereeing on the continent and further evidence of the growing recognition of African match officials on the world stage.
