Al-Arthan Urges Rulers to Aim High

Somali referee Omar Al-Artan urged aspiring officials “never to stop dreaming” before making history as the first non-European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday in Salzburg.

The 34-year-old referee has established himself among Africa’s elite arbiters, having become the first Somali to preside over the CAF Champions League final and having been named Best Referee by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

UEFA stated that the appointment of Al-Artan to officiate the match was made under a cooperation agreement signed with CAF this year, aimed at strengthening ties between the two bodies.

CAF President Patrice Motsebe said in comments published by UEFA on Monday: “This is a great honor for Omar Al-Artan and for African referees.”

Al-Artan had been selected to referee at this year’s World Cup, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection prevented him from entering the United States despite holding a valid visa.

Al-Artan said: “It was an extremely difficult period. Many expressed sympathy for me, because it is harsh when someone works for years toward a specific assignment and ultimately cannot carry it out.”

Strict immigration policies adopted by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump had been a source of concern during the World Cup, after Washington imposed a broad travel ban last year covering citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.

A U.S. administration official stated that Al-Artan was denied entry due to his “connections with individuals suspected of ties to terrorist organizations.”

Al-Artan earned his international badge in 2018, and in 2024 became the first Somali referee to officiate a match at the Africa Cup of Nations.

He said: “I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can succeed. Never stop dreaming.”