Top African referee Omar Artan to officiate 2026 UEFA Super Cup after being unable to participate in FIFA World Cup 2026
Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup following a cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF. Artan was previously unable to participate in the 2026 World Cup due to entry issues in the United States.
Why it matters
The appointment highlights international sports diplomacy and the efforts of football confederations to foster cross-continental collaboration.
Artan has been on the FIFA international list since 2018 and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025
The article reports on a sports administrative decision and the underlying diplomatic framework without taking a political stance.
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