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Omar Artan, a 34-year-old referee from Mogadishu, will officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The appointment makes him the first Somali official ever to take charge of a major UEFA final.
From Mogadishu to Europe’s biggest stage
Artan’s refereeing career started in the Somali First Division. He earned FIFA certification in 2018, opening the door to international assignments that had previously been unthinkable for a Somali official.
In January 2024, he became the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations. By 2025, the Confederation of African Football named him Africa’s best male referee for the year.
That recognition put him on the short list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was selected. And then, just as quickly, he wasn’t.
Artan was denied entry into the United States, where the tournament is being held, due to diplomatic issues. His name was removed from the officiating roster shortly before the competition began.
He returned to Mogadishu on June 10, 2026. He was greeted as a hero.
What this means for African football officiating
Artan’s appointment sits within a broader conversation about representation in international football. Refereeing has historically been dominated by officials from Europe and South America, with African referees often relegated to continental competitions or group-stage assignments at major tournaments.
The fact that Artan was named Africa’s best male referee in 2025 and then selected for the World Cup suggests that the talent pipeline from the continent is producing officials capable of handling the sport’s biggest moments. His removal from the World Cup roster had nothing to do with his abilities and everything to do with forces entirely outside his control.
Born on June 6, 1992, Artan is also relatively young for a referee at this level.
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