Omar Artan officiates UEFA Super Cup after US entry denial

Somali referee Omar Artan made history by officiating the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The appointment follows a period of controversy after Artan was denied entry to the United States in June 2026.

Despite having valid documentation and a visa, Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport. US State Department officials stated he was ineligible for admission due to being “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” an accusation Artan denied. The denial prevented him from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a decision FIFA President Gianni Infantino indicated he was powerless to overrule due to US travel ban policies affecting Somalia.

Following the incident, UEFA invited Artan to lead the Super Cup final in Salzburg. Artan expressed his gratitude to UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for their support, describing the assignment as his “World Cup.” The selection also highlighted ongoing political tensions and differing approaches between UEFA and FIFA.