Somali referee Omar Artan says difficult circumstances did not prevent him from pursuing his ambitions after being selected to officiate the European Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
The 34-year-old will become the first referee from outside Europe to take charge of the match, marking another significant achievement in a career that has already broken new ground.
Artan’s appointment comes after a difficult period in which he missed the opportunity to officiate at the 2026 World Cup finals because he was unable to obtain a visa to enter the United States.
Despite that setback, the Somali official has continued to progress and will now take charge of a major European fixture involving French club Paris Saint-Germain and English side Aston Villa.
Artan became the first Somali referee to officiate the final of the African Champions League and subsequently received the award for the continent’s best referee.
Those achievements helped open the way for his involvement at the World Cup, but the visa issue prevented him from fulfilling that particular ambition.
The Super Cup appointment has nevertheless given Artan another opportunity to officiate at the highest level.
Speaking through the UEFA website, he reflected on the disappointment of missing the World Cup and the difficulty of dealing with such a setback after years of preparation.
“It was a very difficult period. Many people sympathized with me because when one works for many years and is supposed to achieve something, and then cannot, it is very difficult.”
Artan also looked back at his journey and the circumstances in which he grew up, saying his background only strengthened his determination to succeed.
“I was lucky, but I worked hard to get here, and I am very proud of that. As you can imagine, I grew up in difficult circumstances, but that did not stop me from pursuing my dreams.”
The referee credited the support he received throughout his career, particularly from the Confederation of African Football, for helping him reach the stage where he is now.
“I have received support throughout my career, and without the Confederation of African Football, this would not have been possible. This will be my first match in Europe. Experiencing adventures, making memories, and learning new things is always wonderful.”
Artan’s appointment also represents an opportunity for greater cooperation between African and European football.
He welcomed the relationship between the Confederation of African Football and UEFA, describing the European governing body as the best federation in the world for referees.
“It is great that the African Football Confederation is cooperating with the European Football Confederation, the best federation in the world for referees. The level in Europe is excellent, and the football they play is very impressive.”
He believes officials from both continents can learn from one another through the cooperation.
“I believe that the referees of the African Football Confederation can benefit greatly from the European Union, and vice versa. It is a fruitful collaboration for both sides, and I am honored to be appointed to manage this big match.”
Artan also expressed his gratitude to those who have supported his development and helped make the historic appointment possible.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the European Union, as well as to the President of the African Football Confederation and all its staff.”
The significance of the appointment extends beyond Artan himself.
A large Somali community living in Europe and Austria is expected to follow the match closely, with the referee saying his appointment has generated considerable excitement among his compatriots.
“When we received this call, it was a very happy moment for me and my family. There is a large Somali community in Europe and Austria, and they are very happy that I will be officiating such a match.”
Artan’s story has also become one of perseverance following disappointment.
After missing out on the World Cup, he has now been handed another major international assignment and will become the first official from outside Europe to referee the European Super Cup.
He believes his experience can serve as encouragement to others who face difficult circumstances while pursuing their ambitions.
“I believe that if you can succeed, anyone else can. You can achieve what you aspire to.”
Artan will be supported by a multinational officiating team for the match.
Djibouti’s Liban Abdourazzak Ahmed and Kenya’s Stephen Eliezer Onyango Yembe will serve as assistant referees, while Slovenia’s Rade Obrenovic will be the fourth official.
Italy’s Marco Di Bello has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee, with Spain’s Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez serving as the assistant VAR.
For Artan, the appointment represents a landmark moment for Somali refereeing and a personal triumph after the disappointment of missing the World Cup.
His path from difficult beginnings to one of European football’s major fixtures has been built on persistence, support and a refusal to allow setbacks to end his ambitions.
