Somali Referee Artan to Officiate UEFA Super Cup After US Ban

Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Salzburg, Austria, marking a significant professional milestone after a period of personal and career uncertainty. The 34-year-old official was barred from entering the United States in early June, which prevented him from fulfilling his selection to referee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Artan had been named by FIFA as one of 52 match officials for the World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, he was denied entry at Miami International Airport on June 6. According to a senior White House administration official, the traveler was refused admission and given immigration forms for expedited removal under a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The official stated that the administration "will not allow any security threat to enter our country." Somalia is among the countries subject to a U.S. travel ban. Artan was subsequently returned to Istanbul, Turkey, before traveling back to Somalia.

Following the incident, UEFA announced on June 11 that Artan would referee the Super Cup match between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain...