After being told he will not be refereeing in the World Cup, having been turned around at the US border, Omar Artan will take charge of another huge contest
Somali ref Omar Artan, 2025 CAF Referee, was barred from World Cup 2026 by US Customs on terror claims; UEFA appointed him to the Super Cup (PSG vs Aston Villa, August). The appointment signals friction between state security gatekeeping and sports governance autonomy—a growing tension for international bodies navigating geopolitical pressure on official appointments.
Omar Artan given new refereeing role after controversial World Cup ban as UEFA step in
After being told he will not be refereeing in the World Cup, having been turned around at the US border, Omar Artan will take charge of another huge contest
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Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist
14:28, 11 Jun 2026Updated 14:49, 11 Jun 2026
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied US entry for the World Cup, will officiate the UEFA Super Cup. Learn more about this…
A Fifa official since 2018, Omar Artan was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals
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FIFA confirmed that Artan will not take part in the tournament, saying he will be unable to attend training or officiate at the…
Omar Artan, 34, was due to referee at this summer's World Cup in North America but was denied entry to the U.S. in Miami on…
Omar Artan was named among match officials for 2026 World Cup but will miss the tournament after US refuses him entry.
Somali referee Omar Artan banned by US to officiate UEFA Super Cup
