• Omar Artan appointed to referee the UEFA Super Cup after being denied entry to the US for the World Cup.
• UEFA President praises Artan's skills, stating he is an experienced referee recognized internationally.
• The Super Cup will feature Paris Saint-Germain against Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
• Artan's case highlights ongoing concerns about US immigration policies and their impact on international sports.

Omar Artan, a Somali referee, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup set for August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, following his denial of entry to the United States to participate in the World Cup. Despite being named among the 52 referees for the World Cup, Artan faced an entry ban based on US claims that he had connections to suspected terrorist organizations. The US authorities did not provide evidence for these claims and sent him away after a prolonged questioning at Miami International Airport, which lasted 11 hours, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin highlighted Artan's officiating skills, declaring him "an excellent young but already experienced referee" who has proven himself at the peak of the Confederation of African Football's competitions. This appointment was reached following discussions between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a move that aims to strengthen their cooperation, as noted by Middle East Eye and Le Monde.

Artan’s experience includes officiating significant matches, including the Africa Cup of Nations and he earned the accolade of the Confederation of African Football's men’s referee of the year in 2025. His return to Somalia was celebrated, and he expressed gratitude for the support he received despite the troubling circumstances surrounding his US entry denial. He remains optimistic about future opportunities, stating his intention to participate in the 2030 World Cup, as discussed by Africa News.