Nyon, June 11, 2026

After his rejection at Miami airport, UEFA has nominated Somali referee Omar Artan for the UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an experienced official who has proven himself at the highest level.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has nominated Somali referee Omar Artan for the UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, after US authorities had previously denied him entry into the United States.

Omar Artan (34) was originally scheduled to officiate as one of seven African officials at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As the first Somali referee ever selected to officiate at a World Cup, he had been nominated by the African Football Confederation for the tournament. Artan, who was named Africa's Referee of the Year 2025, was already part of the confederation's referee commission.

However, these plans were abruptly derailed: Artan was turned away by US authorities at Miami airport. The authorities cited security concerns over alleged ties to a terrorist organization. This means the Somali referee's planned World Cup participation has failed for the time being — before the tournament has even begun.

Background: Failed World Cup Nomination

UEFA responded to the entry affair on Thursday with a prominent answer. It announced that Artan would officiate the UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg. The match will pit Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League champions Aston Villa. The Super Cup traditionally serves as the kickoff of European club competitions.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin justified the decision by saying that Artan is "ein hervorragender junger, aber bereits erfahrener Schiedsrichter, der sich auf dem höchsten Wettbewerbsniveau der Afrikanischen Fußballkonföderation bewährt hat". The nomination is seen as a clear signal from the European governing body to the US immigration authorities.

Reaction from UEFA President Ceferin

With his appointment to the Super Cup final, Artan receives one of the most visible refereeing stages in European club football. The match in Salzburg will be broadcast live in numerous countries and is considered a prestigious refereeing assignment. For the Somali official, the match is also a sporting rehabilitation following the abrupt turn of events at the US border.

The background to the affair is the tense security situation surrounding the World Cup tournament in North America. US entry regulations have been significantly tightened in recent years, which has repeatedly led to controversies over the entry of foreign athletes, officials, and journalists. Artan's case received additional attention because he is regarded as one of the outstanding African officials of the present day.

Outlook for the Super Cup in Salzburg

The African Football Confederation had selected him as one of seven African officials for this year's World Cup. With the award of Africa's Referee of the Year 2025, Artan had previously received personal recognition that underscores his sporting qualification. The nomination for the Super Cup is regarded in African professional circles as an important sign of solidarity.

It remains unclear how FIFA will react to the latest development. Official statements from the world football organization regarding the Artan case were not initially available. The exact background of the security concerns cited by the US authorities has also not been publicly explained so far. Artan himself has not yet made any public statement since the UEFA decision became known.

The match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg will be played on August 12. With the appointment of Artan as the lead referee, UEFA underscores its claim to place sporting qualification above political and bureaucratic hurdles.