By Samuel Akpan
UEFA has picked Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the Super Cup showdown between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, despite US authorities barring him from the Mundial over suspected terrorist associations.
The European football body reached the decision after consultations with the Confederation of African Football.
Artan will take charge of the match between the UEFA Champions League winners and the Europa League champions.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin hailed the appointment, describing Artan as an excellent young but already experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest competition level of CAF.
“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination. I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative,” Ceferin said.
Artan was among 52 referees selected for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
His involvement ended when US officials denied him entry at Miami International Airport, claiming he was associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations and therefore ineligible for admission.
FIFA later confirmed he would no longer be part of the tournament.
The referee received a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday and vowed to take part in the 2030 World Cup.
Persecondnews recalls that Omar Artan (African Referee of the Year 2025 and one of 52 FIFA-selected officials for the 2026 World Cup) was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport on or around June 7, 2026.
Despite arriving with what he and reports described as a valid US visa and diplomatic passport, along with FIFA documentation.
US Customs and Border Protection initially cited “vetting concerns” as the reason for denying him entry.
Officials later clarified that the decision was based on derogatory information, including his alleged association with suspected members of terrorist organisations, rendering him inadmissible under US immigration law.
A White House official described the denial as being for “a very good reason.”
FIFA confirmed that Artan would no longer train or officiate at the tournament.
The world governing body stated that it does not control visa or entry decisions, which remain the responsibility of the host government.
Artan’s removal ends his chance to make history as the first Somali on-pitch official at the World Cup.
The case underscores strict US border screening procedures, especially for nationals from countries facing travel restrictions.
Even travellers with valid visas can be refused admission at the port of entry if security or vetting issues arise under the Immigration and Nationality Act
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