UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the Super Cup final between PSG and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg. This follows American border officials' decision to deny Artan entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup.
Artan was the best referee of the African confederation in 2025 and has been on FIFA's international list since 2018. He was set to become the first Somali-origin referee at a World Cup final tournament. In Miami, border officials stopped him despite his diplomatic passport and valid visa.
A US official stated Artan was denied entry due to alleged association with members of a terrorist organization. Somalia is on the travel restriction list introduced by the Trump administration. Artan confirmed he was questioned about ties to the Somali militant group Al Shabab but stated he knew nothing about the organization. "I had the right papers and visa," the referee said. "I'm simply trying to live my dream of officiating at the World Cup."
The scandal surrounding Artan highlights potential issues with World Cup 2026 refereeing and organization. For betting markets, this suggests heightened focus on referee interpretation of contentious moments and the likelihood of red cards, particularly in matches involving favorites.