Omar Artan
This latest appointment will see him officiate the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.
Somali referee Omar Artan will make history on Wednesday when he becomes the first non-European official to referee the UEFA Super Cup, capping a remarkable rise from Somalia to one of football’s biggest stages.
The 34-year-old has established himself as one of Africa’s leading match officials, becoming the first Somali referee to take charge of a CAF Champions League final before being named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
His latest appointment will see him officiate the meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, providing another opportunity to showcase African refereeing at the highest level.
Speaking in an interview with UEFA, Artan reflected on the personal challenges that shaped his journey.
He lost his father at a young age and spent part of his childhood away from his mother, experiences he said helped develop the resilience that has carried him through his career.
Artan initially aspired to become a professional footballer, but a minor injury ended his playing ambitions and led him towards refereeing.
What began as an alternative to playing gradually became a passion as he developed a deeper understanding of the game and the demands of officiating.
For Artan, preparation is central to good refereeing. He explained that officials must study teams before matches in much the same way players prepare, learning about their tactical approach, playing style and individual behaviour.
He stressed that refereeing goes beyond simply knowing the Laws of the Game, requiring officials to continue learning and improving throughout their careers.
Artan was selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was unable to participate after he could not enter the United States. Rather than allowing the setback to derail his career, he continued working and eventually secured the historic UEFA Super Cup appointment.
He credited the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with playing an important role in his development and described the UEFA appointment as a significant moment for African referees.
For Artan, the assignment represents more than a personal achievement. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that African officials can compete and excel at the highest levels of international football.
His journey from Somalia to a major European assignment has also become a message to aspiring referees who may face obstacles early in their careers.
Artan encouraged them to remain committed, continue learning and refuse to allow difficult circumstances to determine their ambitions.
“Don’t ever stop dreaming,” he said.
On Wednesday, those words will take on added significance as Artan walks onto the pitch in Salzburg to make history as the first non-European referee appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup.
