Omar Artan, a 34-year-old referee from Mogadishu, will officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The appointment makes him the first Somali official ever to take charge of a major UEFA final.
From Mogadishu to Europe’s biggest stage
Artan’s refereeing career started in the Somali First Division. He earned FIFA certification in 2018, opening the door to international assignments that had previously been unthinkable for a Somali official.
In January 2024, he became the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations. By 2025, the Confederation of African Football named him Africa’s best male referee for the year.
That recognition put him on the short list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was selected. And then, just as quickly, he wasn’t.
