‘It was my World Cup’ – Somalia’s top referee Omar Artan reflects on historic UEFA Super Cup duty

Somali referee Omar Artan has described officiating the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa as one of the most significant moments of his refereeing career after leaving an emotional message on the match ball.

Artan made history on Wednesday, August 11, when he took charge of the prestigious European fixture, becoming the first African referee to officiate a UEFA match. He was in charge when Paris Saint Germain secured a 2-1 win over the Premier League side to lift the trophy.

The appointment marked a remarkable moment for both Artan and African football, particularly given the challenges the Somali official had faced in recent months.

Artan had been selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was reportedly denied entry into the United States while he was due to travel for the tournament.

The setback meant he missed out on the opportunity to referee at football’s biggest international stage.

However, his appointment to handle the UEFA Super Cup provided an opportunity to create another historic chapter in his career.

The match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa offered Artan the chance to officiate two of Europe’s top clubs on one of the biggest stages in European football.

Following the encounter, Artan took a moment to reflect on the significance of the occasion and wrote a heartfelt message on the official match ball.

“It was my World Cup. Thank you, UEFA. You have truly made my life better forever,” Artan wrote.

The message underlined the personal significance of the assignment for the Somali referee, who clearly viewed the UEFA Super Cup as a landmark moment after missing out on the 2026 World Cup.

For Artan, the occasion was more than simply another match to officiate. It represented recognition at the highest level of European club football and a historic breakthrough for African referees.

His appointment also carries wider significance for Somali football, with Artan becoming a prominent figure on the international refereeing scene and demonstrating that officials from Africa can reach the highest levels of the game.

The UEFA Super Cup assignment therefore stands as a memorable achievement in Artan’s career.

After being denied the opportunity to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Somali referee was given another major platform to showcase his abilities, and he seized the moment by becoming the first African referee to officiate a UEFA match.

Artan’s emotional message on the match ball perfectly captured the importance of the occasion.

“It was my World Cup,” he wrote, a powerful reflection of what the historic UEFA assignment meant to him.

For the Somali referee, the night will remain a defining moment in his journey and a milestone that could inspire a new generation of African officials to pursue opportunities on the global stage.