Somali referee Omar Artan will make history on Wednesday in Salzburg by becoming the first non-European official to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup, just months after being denied entry into the United States for the World Cup.
The 34-year-old, who has risen to become one of Africa's most respected match officials, will oversee the clash between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League holders Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena. He becomes the first referee from outside Europe to officiate the annual showpiece between Europe's two continental champions.
UEFA handed Artan the appointment just days after he was barred from entering the US, where he had been selected to officiate at the World Cup. He was turned away at Miami International Airport on 6 June despite holding a valid visa. A US administration official cited alleged links to "suspected members of terror organizations" as the reason for refusing him entry. Somalia is among 12 countries subject to a travel ban introduced by President Donald Trump's administration last year.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had indicated he was unable to intervene against the US government's decision, leaving Artan unable to fulfil his World Cup role despite years of building toward the tournament.
Speaking publicly about the episode for the first time, Artan described the toll it took on him. "It was a very tough period," he said. "A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can't do it, it's very challenging." He added that the global support he received helped him through the ordeal: "I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world, though; I'm so grateful."
His Super Cup appointment came as a result of a cooperation agreement signed between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) earlier this year, aimed at strengthening ties between the two governing bodies. CAF president Patrice Motsepe hailed the decision, calling it "a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees."
Artan will be supported by two fellow African officials as assistant referees: Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed of Djibouti and Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe of Kenya, underlining the historic nature of an all-African officiating team at one of Europe's marquee fixtures.
Reflecting on the honour, Artan revealed how much the news meant to him and his community. "When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment," he said. "There's a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this."
Ahead of the fixture, Artan has kept himself sharp by officiating domestic matches in Somalia and in the Kuwaiti Premier League. He also detailed his meticulous approach to preparation. "We referees go through a lot of preparation in terms of getting to know the teams," he explained. "I always watch the teams play. I like watching European football anyway but, regardless, I go through and do a lot of research on the teams, how they play, learn their behaviours, tactics."
Artan's career has already featured several landmark achievements. He became the first Somali referee to officiate a CAF Champions League final, was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year, and took charge of matches at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations as the tournament's first Somali official. He was added to FIFA's international referees list in 2018.
Now, just over two months removed from the disappointment of missing the World Cup, Artan is embracing his moment on one of European football's biggest stages. "I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can," he said. "Don't ever stop dreaming."
Based on reporting from The Independent and The Guardian.