Somali referee Omar Artan has urged aspiring officials to "never stop dreaming" as he prepares to make history as the first non-European to referee the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Salzburg.

At 34 years old, Artan has become one of African football's leading referees. He was the first Somali to officiate a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League final and was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year. He also became the first Somali official at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024 after being added to FIFA's international list of referees in 2018.

UEFA stated that Artan's appointment was made under a cooperation agreement signed with CAF this year aimed at strengthening collaboration between the organizations. CAF president Patrice Motsepe described the appointment as "a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees."

Artan was selected to referee at this year's World Cup but was barred from entering the United States due to a travel ban. An administration official cited Artan's alleged links to "suspected members of terror organizations" as the reason for the denial. Artan commented on the situation, saying, "A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can't do it, it's very challenging."

The UEFA Super Cup match in Salzburg will feature Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League holders Aston Villa.

Sources