Omar Artan arrives in Austria to referee historic UEFA Super Cup

Omar Artan has arrived in Austria to take charge of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, becoming the first non-European referee appointed to officiate the final.

UEFA confirmed the Somali official’s arrival and published video footage of Artan being welcomed in Salzburg, where the match will be played.

Paris Saint-Germain will face Aston Villa at Salzburg Stadium on Wednesday, 12 August, with the French club entering the fixture as UEFA Champions League winners and Aston Villa participating as UEFA Europa League champions.

Artan’s appointment follows his exclusion from the 2026 World Cup after United States authorities refused to issue him with an entry visa, despite the referee having already arrived at an American airport.

UEFA subsequently decided to compensate Artan for missing the World Cup by appointing him to referee the UEFA Super Cup. His selection was made in co-ordination with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as part of the two organisations’ ongoing co-operation.

The appointment represents a significant milestone for African refereeing, with Artan becoming the first official from outside Europe to referee a UEFA Super Cup final.

The 34-year-old is regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees. He has been included on the international list since 2018 and was named African Referee of the Year in 2025.

Among the high-profile matches Artan has officiated was the second leg of the 2025-26 CAF Champions League final. His performances in African football have helped establish him as one of the continent’s most prominent match officials.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan’s ability and said the appointment reflected football’s wider values.

“Omar Artan is an outstanding referee despite his young age, and he has proven himself at the highest level in Africa,” Ceferin said on UEFA’s official website.

“We want to show our appreciation for his refereeing abilities, and this step reflects the values of football in bringing people together.”

CAF president Patrice Motsepe also paid tribute to Artan and the significance of his assignment.

“Artan has made Somalia and the African continent proud with what he has achieved,” Motsepe said.

“His refereeing of the UEFA Super Cup is a great honour for him and for African refereeing, and an embodiment of the growing closeness of football between the continents.”

The UEFA Super Cup brings together the winners of the previous season’s two major European club competitions. Paris Saint-Germain qualified after winning the UEFA Champions League, while Aston Villa secured their place as UEFA Europa League winners.

The match in Salzburg will therefore mark a major occasion for Artan, as well as a notable moment in the relationship between UEFA and CAF. His appointment gives an African referee a central role in one of European club football’s senior fixtures, following the decision not to include him at the 2026 World Cup.