A historic appointment in Salzburg

Somali referee Omar Artan will become the first non-European official to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup when Paris Saint-Germain face Aston Villa in Salzburg on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old has been on FIFA's international list since 2018 and was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year in 2025. His appointment places an African refereeing team at the centre of one of UEFA's most visible fixtures.

From World Cup disappointment to a European final

Artan had been selected for the 2026 World Cup but was not able to officiate at the tournament in the United States after being denied entry. UEFA subsequently appointed him to the Super Cup following discussions with the Confederation of African Football.

Artan has described the World Cup episode as a difficult period but said the support he received from the football community helped him move forward. The Salzburg match will also be his first refereeing assignment in Europe.

A referee denied the chance to work at the World Cup will now take charge of one of UEFA's showcase matches - and make history in the process.

The officiating team

UEFA has named Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed of Djibouti and Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe of Kenya as assistant referees. Rade Obrenovic will serve as fourth official, with Marco Di Bello leading the video-assistant team.

The appointment is notable not because officials from outside Europe are unknown at major tournaments, but because the Super Cup has traditionally been handled by European refereeing teams. Artan's role breaks that pattern.

PSG and Villa meet for the trophy

The match brings together Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League holders Aston Villa at Stadion Salzburg. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time on 12 August.

PSG are the defending Super Cup holders, while Villa return to the fixture after winning the Europa League. The game arrives at the start of the European club season and gives both sides an early chance to add another international trophy.

For Artan, however, the significance is already clear before the whistle. After missing the World Cup, he will step onto a UEFA final stage as the first non-European referee to lead the Super Cup - a personal recovery and a milestone for African officiating.