Somali referee Omar Artan is poised to make history as he officiates the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on 12 August 2026. This appointment is notable not only for the prestigious role but also for the significant earnings and the all-African officiating crew accompanying him.

From Detention to the UEFA Spotlight

Just two months before this landmark assignment, Artan faced a humiliating experience at Miami International Airport where he was detained for 11 hours despite holding a valid US visa and diplomatic passport. US authorities cited unspecified "derogatory information" and alleged terrorist links as reasons for denying his entry, claims that Artan and his legal team have strongly refuted.

Undeterred, Artan's career has continued to ascend. UEFA's decision to appoint him as the main referee marks the first time a non-European has overseen the Super Cup, underlining the strengthened collaboration between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) aimed at fostering ties between European and African officials.

All-African Officiating Team and Earnings

  • Artan will be assisted by Djibouti's Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed and Kenya's Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe.
  • Kenyan assistant referee Yiembe is set to earn between KSh 372,750 and KSh 447,300 for the match.
  • UEFA will pay Artan €10,000 (approximately KSh 1,491,000) for his role as the main referee.
  • Assistant referees receive between €2,500 and €3,000, while the VAR official earns €3,000 and the fourth official €1,000.
  • All officials receive a daily allowance of €200 (around KSh 29,820).

Recognition and Support

Artan's achievements include being named CAF Men's Referee of the Year in 2025 and becoming the first Somali to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations and a CAF Champions League final. Following the US incident, FIFA reportedly compensated him fully for his World Cup officiating fees, and he returned home to Mogadishu to a hero’s welcome and community support.

This appointment not only highlights Artan's resilience but also signals a milestone in African refereeing on the global stage.