Somali referee Artaan was initially selected for the Canada-Mexico-US World Cup referee list, but was denied entry to the US, thus missing out on officiating the World Cup. UEFA subsequently appointed him as the head referee for this year's Super Cup. The Somali referee stated in an interview with UEFA that if he could succeed, anyone could.

Related reading: [Official: Somali referee Artaan, denied entry to the US, will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup]

Omar Artaan will not soon forget the past 18 months. In just a year and a half, the 34-year-old referee became the first Somali referee to officiate a Confederation of African Football Champions League final, then won the 2025 CAF Best Male Referee Award, and was selected for the 2026 World Cup referee list.

Now, he will also become the first non-European referee to officiate a UEFA Super Cup. For those who have followed his rise, the truly surprising thing is that it all seems completely expected.

Of course, not everything went according to plan. Artaan was denied entry to the US for the World Cup, and the disappointment of not being able to realize this dream—at least for now—is evident.

"That was a very difficult time," he admitted. "Many people expressed sympathy for me, because it's truly very difficult when someone works hard for many years, is supposed to achieve something, but ultimately cannot. However, I am very grateful for the support I received from all over the world, and I appreciate it."

Artaan is accustomed to overcoming difficulties. His father passed away young, and he grew up separated from his mother, so when he started his refereeing career, he had to figure almost everything out on his own.

He embarked on this path early, and a minor injury on the field solidified his idea of becoming a referee. From informal community pickup games to organized school events, he gradually found himself officiating the Somali league.

"I'm very lucky, but I've also worked very hard to get where I am today, and I'm very proud of that," he said. "As you can imagine, I grew up in a difficult environment, but that didn't stop me from chasing my dreams."

He also received help along the way. Artaan particularly thanked CAF for their support and recognition, emphasizing: "Without them, none of this would have been possible."

In 2018, he entered the FIFA international referee list, and then in 2024, he became the first Somali referee to officiate an Africa Cup of Nations match.

Since then, he has continued to make history, and in Salzburg, he will achieve another breakthrough—officiating the UEFA Super Cup.

Dr. Patrice Motsepe, President of CAF, stated: "This is a great honor for Omar Artaan and for African referees. It is an excellent example of how football brings people together and achieves unity."

Just as he has throughout his career, Artaan hopes to make the most of this opportunity.

"This will be my first match officiating in Europe. It's always great to have an adventure, create memories, and learn new things," he said.

"For me, it's wonderful that CAF can cooperate with UEFA. UEFA has the highest refereeing standards in the world. European refereeing standards are very high, and the football they play is also very, very good. I believe that CAF referees can learn a lot from UEFA, and UEFA referees can also learn a lot from CAF. This benefits both sides. I am honored to be appointed to officiate such an important match. I want to express my sincere thanks to UEFA, as well as to the CAF President and everyone at CAF."

Artaan's appointment to officiate the Super Cup is part of the cooperation between UEFA and CAF following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the end of April. Both parties hope to strengthen cooperation in several areas, including refereeing.

Artaan learned of his appointment in early June, shortly after returning from the United States.

"When we got that call, it was truly a very, very happy moment for me and my family," he said. "There are large Somali communities in Europe and Austria, and they were overjoyed when they heard I would be officiating such a match."

To stay in top form, Artaan has been officiating league matches in Somalia, and also officiated the Kuwait Premier League championship decider at the end of June—as you might guess, another historic first.

He is determined to be at his best for the Super Cup.

"We referees need to do a lot of preparation, including understanding the participating teams," he explained. "I always watch the teams' matches. I already enjoy watching European football, but regardless, I do a lot of research on the teams, understanding their playing style, habits, tactics, and many other aspects."

So, what does Artaan have to say to young people around the world who aspire to become referees?

"I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can. You can do anything you want. Never stop dreaming. If you want to be a referee, it's the best choice you can make. So, go after it, achieve it, and no matter what happens, don't stop and don't give up because someone prevents you from doing your job.

"Learn new things every day, constantly hone your skills, and most importantly, be fair and always consistent."

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