Story perspectives

Somali Omar Artan first non-European to referee UEFA Super Cup

8/10/2026

Summary

Omar Artan Referees

Omar Artan will referee the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, becoming the first non-European to do so.
He was named CAF Referee of the Year and became the first Somali to referee a CAF Champions League final and the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
He was selected for the 2026 World Cup but was denied entry at Miami on 6 June because of the Somalia travel ban.

Summary

Mohamed Pushes Funding

Ali Abdi Mohamed, Somalia Football Federation president, Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) vice-president, attended the Kagame Cup ceremonies, highlighting Somalia’s role.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met athletes at the palace, praised achievements and stressed sport’s nation-building.
Observers warned Somalia’s football infrastructure is weak and the league has not yet regained prominence.
CECAFA and donors were urged to fund grassroots programmes and professionalise the league, sustaining gains.

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Omar Artan Referees

Omar Artan will referee the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, becoming the first non-European to do so.
He was named CAF Referee of the Year and became the first Somali to referee a CAF Champions League final and the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
He was selected for the 2026 World Cup but was denied entry at Miami on 6 June because of the Somalia travel ban.

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