Austria (GNP): Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan is set to make history as the first non European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup, marking another major milestone in his international refereeing career.
Artan has been appointed to oversee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg.
His appointment represents a significant achievement for Somali and African football officials on the European stage.
The 34 year old referee has risen through the international football system over the past decade.
He became a FIFA listed referee in 2018 and has since officiated major African competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations and CAF Champions League.
Artan’s UEFA Super Cup appointment comes after he was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was unable to participate after being denied entry to the United States.
Despite the setback, he has continued his refereeing career and received international support.
Speaking ahead of the Super Cup, Artan reflected on his journey and emphasized the importance of perseverance, ambition and hard work.
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His message to aspiring officials was clear, they should continue pursuing their ambitions despite obstacles.
His appointment is also part of growing cooperation between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), providing opportunities for officials from different confederations to participate in major competitions.
The historic assignment is being viewed as an important moment for African representation in European football and a source of pride for Somalia.
