Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been named to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an 'excellent young but already experienced referee' who has 'proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football.'
Artan's appointment came after talks with the African confederation and is part of an accord between UEFA and CAF to encourage cooperation. CAF President Patrice Motsepe said Artan's receipt of the CAF men's referee of the year award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a 'recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys.'
Artan was barred from entering the US on Saturday after arriving at Miami International Airport, with a US State Department official stating that he was 'associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations', making him ineligible for admission to the United States.
