# Omar Artan UEFA Super Cup appointment controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/omar-artan-uefa-super-cup-appointment-controversy
> Updated: 2026-08-24T11:09:48.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 4.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan made history by becoming the first non-European official to referee a UEFA Super Cup, officiating the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg.

This appointment follows a significant controversy in June 2026, when Artan was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. Despite possessing valid documentation, US authorities detained him for 11 hours and subsequently deported him, citing “verification issues” and alleged associations with “suspected members of terrorist organizations.” Artan has denied these allegations. The US entry denial prevented Artan from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino indicated he was unable to overrule the decision due to US travel ban policies affecting Somalia.

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) expressed deep disappointment and solidarity with Artan, noting that while they received communication from FIFA, they had not received official details explaining why he was unable to continue his journey. While the Somali government protested the US decision, analysts noted a lack of a unified public condemnation or joint diplomatic initiative from African institutions such as the African Union and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Following his Super Cup assignment, UEFA has invited Artan as a special guest to an elite refereeing seminar in Geneva in late August, a move that may facilitate his future involvement in European club competitions.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Somali referee Omar Artan returns to elite officiating after U.S. entry denial

Somali referee Omar Artan has returned to elite officiating after being denied entry to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup. He recently refereed the European Super Cup and was invited to a UEFA elite seminar.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/somali-referee-omar-artan-returns-to-elite-officiating-after-us-entry-denial

### 2026-08-21: Omar Abdulkadir Artan prevented from attending 2026 FIFA World Cup

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the 2025 CAF African Referee of the Year, has been prevented from traveling to the US to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/omar-abdulkadir-artan-prevented-from-attending-2026-fifa-world-cup

### 2026-08-17: Omar Artan officiates UEFA Super Cup after US entry denial

Somali referee Omar Artan officiated the 2026 UEFA Super Cup after being denied entry to the US for the FIFA World Cup due to travel ban restrictions and security allegations.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/omar-artan-officiates-uefa-super-cup-after-us-entry-denial

### 2026-08-12: Omar Artan makes history as first non-European UEFA Super Cup referee

Somali referee Omar Artan became the first non-European to officiate a UEFA Super Cup after being denied entry to the US for the 2026 World Cup due to alleged security concerns.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/omar-artan-denied-us-entry-for-world-cup-duties

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Cite as: Omar Artan UEFA Super Cup appointment controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/omar-artan-uefa-super-cup-appointment-controversy