Omar Altan, turned back at the US border and told not to referee at the World Cup, will be in charge of another big match.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Altan (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
UEFA has announced that Somalian Omar Altan will be in charge of the Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. Artan was selected as one of Africa’s representatives for the World Cup, but was denied entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Miami International Airport and sent back on a flight back to Turkey.
Artan claimed he “had the proper documentation and the proper visa,” but the Trump administration claimed that “further inspection by CBP revealed derogatory information, including an association with an alleged member of a terrorist organization.” The decision sparked a backlash from the football world, which showed solidarity with the authorities.
UEFA is one of the organizations to do so by giving him control of a big game at the start of next season. After he was rejected by US border officials, European football’s governing body announced that he would referee the Super Cup match in Salzburg in August.
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The club confirmed the news in a statement: “Following consultation with our sister federation, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), UEFA has today appointed Somali referee Omar Altan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, to be held in Salzburg on 12 August between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa FC.”
“Despite his young age, Artan has established himself as one of the world’s top referees and has been included in the FIFA International List since 2018. Among the most notable matches he has refereed is the second leg of the CAF Champions League Final in the 2025/26 season.
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“In recognition of his performance, he was awarded the 2025 CAF Referee of the Year Award. Artan was included by FIFA in the list of match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but was unable to compete as he was not allowed to enter the United States.”
“The decision to appoint Artan as referee for UEFA Super Cup matches was taken within the framework of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) between UEFA and CAF to foster cooperation in a number of areas, including refereeing.
Artan returned to the hero’s reception when he returned to Somalia (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
“UEFA and CAF are united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination.”
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin added: “Omar Altan is a young but highly experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of competition in the Confederation of African Football.”
“Football is designed to bring people together and UEFA would like to pay tribute to Mr. Omar and his outstanding officiating skills that have earned him such a prestigious nomination. We would like to thank our friend Patrice Motsepe, CAF President, for his enthusiastic support of our efforts.”
Artan is widely regarded as one of Africa’s best referees and was set to represent his country at the World Cup for the first time. He also managed two games in the African Cup of Nations and was named the continent’s best official.
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