UEFA hands top European final to Somali referee barred from Trump’s America ahead of World Cup

Somali referee Omar Artan has been handed one of the most prestigious appointments in world football just days after being denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final in August.

• The decision comes days after Artan was denied entry into the United States for World Cup duties.

• The appointment will make him the first African referee to officiate a major UEFA final.

• UEFA and CAF described the move as a symbol of football’s commitment to unity and inclusion.

European football governing body UEFA announced on Friday that the 34-year-old will officiate the UEFA Super Cup clash between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.

The appointment comes amid international controversy over Artan’s exclusion from the World Cup officiating programme after U.S. authorities blocked his entry despite him holding a valid visa.

The decision effectively ruled him out of preparations for the tournament and triggered criticism from football officials across Africa, with many arguing that politics had unfairly overshadowed one of the continent’s most accomplished referees.

UEFA elevates African official

UEFA said Artan’s appointment followed consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and was made under a cooperation agreement signed between the two organisations.

The governing body described Artan as one of the world’s leading referees and highlighted his rapid rise through international football.

Artan has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2018 and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 after a series of high-profile performances, including officiating the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.

His appointment to the UEFA Super Cup will make him the first African referee to take charge of a major UEFA final.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said the decision reflected both Artan’s quality and football’s role in connecting people across borders.

“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,” Ceferin said.

From Miami rejection to European showpiece

Artan travelled to Miami earlier this week to join other FIFA-selected referees for training and briefings ahead of the World Cup.

However, he was refused entry by U.S. authorities and returned to Somalia.

The incident quickly became one of the first major controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to U.S. authorities, Artan was denied entry due to unspecified vetting concerns.

The explanation failed to quell criticism, especially as Somalia remains among countries affected by immigration restrictions introduced by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The episode also raised broader concerns about how immigration policies could affect athletes, officials and support personnel participating in global sporting events hosted by the United States.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino came under pressure after suggesting there was little football authorities could do to overturn the decision, a response that fuelled further debate across the football world.

CAF celebrates historic milestone

CAF President Patrice Motsepe described Artan’s UEFA appointment as recognition of his world-class ability and a proud moment for Africa.

“Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African continent extremely proud,” Motsepe said.

He added that the appointment demonstrated football’s power to unite people across different regions and cultures.

For Artan, the UEFA Super Cup represents a dramatic turnaround from a week that threatened to define his career for all the wrong reasons.

Instead of being remembered as the referee denied a place at football’s biggest tournament, the Somali official will now take centre stage in one of Europe’s most prestigious matches, watched by millions around the world.

The appointment also sends a powerful message from UEFA and CAF that sporting merit, not nationality, should define opportunities at the highest level of football.