Mogadishu: The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced that Somali international referee Omar Artan will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Austria on August 12. The UEFA statement expressed their pleasure in having Artan officiate the much-anticipated match in Salzburg.

According to Anadolu Agency, Artan received a hero's welcome upon his arrival in Mogadishu after being denied entry to the United States to officiate at the FIFA World Cup. During a news conference, Artan expressed his determination to officiate at the next FIFA World Cup and thanked FIFA and the Somali people for their support.

The Somali Football Federation described Artan's journey as a source of pride for Somalia, the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), and African football. The Trump administration's restriction has led to international criticism, with some football fans calling for a World Cup boycott.

Artan was poised to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. Recently, he was honored as Africa's Best Referee for 2025 at the CAF Awards in Morocco, organized by the Confederation of African Football. However, a proclamation by US President Donald Trump on June 4, 2025, restricts Somali nationals from entering the country.