UEFA appoints Omar Artan for Super Cup after World Cup disappointment

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, a significant appointment coming just days after he was denied entry to the FIFA World Cup in the United States. UEFA announced on Thursday that Artan will lead the season-opening European match between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.

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Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations, was discovered making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The appointment resulted from consultations between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It is widely regarded as a major acknowledgment of Artan's status among the world's top match officials. Artan, who has been on FIFA's international list since 2018, was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year in 2025, following a series of impressive performances across the continent. He had also been selected by FIFA as one of 52 officials for the 2026 World Cup.

However, his World Cup participation was halted when US authorities refused him entry. Artan was stopped by immigration officials in Miami during a pre-World Cup training camp and subsequently deported. According to reports, the White House stated the decision followed additional screening by border officials, who discovered "derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations," making him ineligible for admission under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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The traveler was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA.

Artan, however, has maintained his innocence, asserting he possessed the correct travel documents and visa. He was reportedly questioned for over 11 hours at Miami International Airport before being returned to Istanbul. The incident drew international attention and diplomatic concern from Somalia, whose government hailed Artan as "Somalia’s most accomplished sporting figure and a source of immense national pride."

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President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country, full stop.

UEFA's decision to appoint him to the Super Cup is viewed as providing a major platform for the highly-rated official. The European football governing body stated the appointment was made under a recent Memorandum of Understanding between UEFA and CAF aimed at strengthening cooperation, including in refereeing.

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had the right papers and the right visa