Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be at the center of the action when Paris Saint-Germain faces Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
Artan’s appointment is particularly significant. The highly rated African official was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was unable to participate after being denied entry into the United States. Now, just months later, he has received one of the biggest assignments of his refereeing career.
Here is everything to know about Omar Artan, the referee for PSG vs. Aston Villa.
Who Is Omar Artan?
Omar Abdulkadir Artan is a Somali international football referee and one of Africa’s most prominent match officials.
The 34-year-old has been a FIFA-listed international referee since 2018, allowing him to officiate international fixtures and major competitions organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Artan’s reputation has grown considerably in recent years through his performances in some of African football’s biggest matches.
His achievements were recognized when he was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, further establishing him among the continent’s elite officials.
Omar Artan’s Refereeing Career
Artan has accumulated experience across several major African competitions.
Among his most notable assignments was officiating the second leg of the 2025-26 CAF Champions League final, one of the biggest club matches on the African football calendar.
He has also officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations and other CAF competitions.
Those performances helped Artan earn recognition beyond Africa and eventually led to his selection for the FIFA World Cup.
Was Omar Artan Selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. Artan was originally selected as a referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
His selection put him in position to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a men’s FIFA World Cup.
However, Artan was ultimately unable to participate after being denied entry into the United States. The situation prevented him from joining the tournament’s officiating preparations and working matches during the competition.
Missing the World Cup represented a major disappointment, but Artan quickly received another prestigious international assignment.
Why Is Omar Artan Refereeing the UEFA Super Cup?
Artan’s appointment for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup comes through cooperation between UEFA and CAF.
The two governing bodies have worked together on initiatives that include referee development and exchanges between European and African football.
That cooperation opened the door for Artan to take charge of the Super Cup despite representing Somalia and CAF rather than a European football association.
His selection also makes the assignment historic.
Artan is set to become the first non-European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup, adding another milestone to his career.
Who Are the Assistant Referees for PSG vs. Aston Villa?
Artan will be supported by an international officiating crew for the UEFA Super Cup.
Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed of Djibouti and Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe of Kenya will serve as assistant referees.
Their appointments further highlight the UEFA-CAF cooperation surrounding the match and give African match officials a prominent role on one of European club football’s biggest stages.
Omar Artan Profile
Here are the key details about the 2026 UEFA Super Cup referee:
- Full name: Omar Abdulkadir Artan
- Nationality: Somali
- Age: 34
- Role: Football referee
- FIFA-listed referee: Since 2018
- Confederation: CAF
- Major honor: 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year
- Notable assignment: 2025-26 CAF Champions League final, second leg
- 2026 FIFA World Cup: Selected but unable to participate
- 2026 UEFA Super Cup: Referee for Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa
- Historic achievement: First non-European referee selected to officiate the UEFA Super Cup
When Is PSG vs. Aston Villa in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup?
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa takes place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Salzburg, Austria.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET, which is 9:00 p.m. local time.
PSG enters the match as the UEFA Champions League winner, while Aston Villa qualified for the Super Cup by winning the UEFA Europa League.
The one-match competition will determine the 2026 UEFA Super Cup champion.
Omar Artan Gets Historic UEFA Super Cup Opportunity
The 2026 UEFA Super Cup represents a remarkable moment in Omar Artan’s refereeing career.
After being selected for the World Cup but ultimately missing the tournament, Artan will now receive an opportunity to officiate a major international club match featuring Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
His appointment also carries significance beyond the match itself. Becoming the first non-European referee to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup represents a milestone for Somali football and African refereeing.
With PSG and Aston Villa competing for the first major piece of European silverware of the 2026-27 season, Omar Artan will be the man responsible for overseeing the action in Salzburg.