Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners Aston Villa. The showcase match will take place on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
The 34-year-old Artan was previously named among the 52-strong roster of match officials for the 2026 World Cup, an appointment that served as a huge source of pride for his compatriots. However, he was forced to miss the tournament, running from June 11 to July 19, after U.S. authorities refused him entry despite his possession of a valid visa.
UEFA announced the appointment on Thursday, noting that the decision followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The appointment forms part of a recently signed cooperation agreement between the two governing bodies.