Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan in line for a European breakthrough

Omar Abdulkadir Artan could be set for a new chapter in his career, with UEFA reportedly considering whether the Somali referee should officiate European matches.

The proposal has not been officially confirmed, but journalist Micky Jnr reported on Tuesday that European football’s governing body had expressed an interest in seeing Artan take charge of games under its jurisdiction. Correspondence has reportedly already been sent to CAF and the Somali Football Federation for information.

The development would represent a significant change in direction for Artan, who has recently attracted international attention after being prevented from entering the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The Somali official was stopped by US immigration services despite having all the necessary authorisations to enter the country. Sources close to the US administration had referred to alleged links with terrorist organisations, although the incident prompted widespread concern and support for the referee.

Artan was subsequently backed by members of the public, with messages of solidarity appearing across social media. He also held meetings with senior leaders in his country as support grew around him.

That public backing came shortly before UEFA issued a surprise invitation to Artan to officiate the European Super Cup fixture between PSG and Aston Villa. The appointment placed the referee at the centre of the European football spotlight and raised his profile beyond Africa.

Artan was named Africa’s best referee for 2025, making the reported interest from UEFA another major milestone in his career. If the proposal develops, he could become a regular presence in European competition, although there has been no official announcement that he will be granted such a role.

The latest reports indicate that UEFA has begun communicating with the relevant African and Somali football authorities before any possible decision is made. The involvement of CAF and the Somali federation suggests the matter is at an exploratory stage rather than a completed agreement.

For now, Artan remains a Somali referee whose notable career has taken an unexpected turn in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup. His journey from being refused entry to the United States, despite holding the required permissions, to receiving support from the public and an invitation to officiate a match involving PSG and Aston Villa has drawn considerable attention.

The possibility of him refereeing further European matches would add another important moment to that story. It would also underline the growing international recognition of the official who was named Africa’s leading referee in 2025.