Omar Artan to Officiate UEFA Super Cup Clash Between PSG and Aston Villa
By Muhammad Abubakar
Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Aston Villa, UEFA announced on Thursday.
The prestigious fixture, scheduled to take place in Salzburg, will see the Champions League winners PSG face Europa League champions Aston Villa in the traditional curtain-raiser to the European club season.
Artan’s appointment marks another milestone in a refereeing career that has earned widespread recognition across Africa and beyond. The Somali official is regarded by many football observers as one of the continent’s finest referees, having handled high-profile matches in both African and international competitions.
His selection for the UEFA Super Cup comes days after he was controversially excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Reports indicated that Artan was denied entry into the country, preventing him from participating in the tournament despite being considered among Africa’s top referees.
UEFA’s decision to entrust him with one of Europe’s most prestigious club matches is likely to be seen as a strong endorsement of his abilities and standing in world football.
The UEFA Super Cup annually brings together the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League, making it one of the most anticipated fixtures on the European football calendar.