UEFA don appoint Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate di 2026 UEFA Super Cup match. Di game go take place on 12 August for Salzburg, Austria. Di two teams wey go play na Paris Saint-Germain, wey win UEFA Champions League, and Aston Villa FC, wey win UEFA Europa League.
Artan don dey for FIFA international list since 2018. For 2025, dem name am CAF Men’s Referee of the Year. Despite say e young, Artan don already establish imself as one of di world top referees. Among di matches wey e don officiate na di second leg of di 2025/26 CAF Champions League final.
FIFA don include Artan for di match officials list for di FIFA World Cup 2026. But e no fit participate because dem no allow am enter United States. Di decision to appoint Artan for di UEFA Super Cup come from di Memorandum of Understanding wey UEFA and CAF recently sign. Di MoU dey encourage cooperation for many areas, including refereeing.
UEFA and CAF dey united by shared commitment to develop football at all levels and promote unity, equality, and non-discrimination. Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president, talk say: ‘Omar Artan na excellent young but already experienced referee, wey don prove imself at di highest competition level of CAF. Football na to connect people, and UEFA want show respect to Omar and im outstanding officiating skills, wey don earn am such prestigious nomination. I dey grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting our initiative enthusiastically.’
Dr Patrice Motsepe, CAF president, talk say: ‘Omar Artan don make Somalia and di entire African Continent extremely proud. Im receipt of di CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and im appointment as referee of di FIFA World Cup 2026 na recognition of im world-class refereeing ability and di international respect wey e enjoy. I dey very thankful to my friend, Aleksander Čeferin for enabling Omar Artan to officiate di UEFA Super Cup 2026 match. Dis na great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and na excellent example of football wey dey bring together and unite people from Africa and Europe and worldwide.’
