"Artan"... Enters History

Somali referee Omar Aliyev is poised to write a new page in history as the first non-European official to preside over a UEFA Super Cup match, but his journey to the top has been marked by significant personal and professional challenges.

The 34-year-old referee recently spoke about his disappointment at not being selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while simultaneously looking forward to a historic night in Salzburg.

Aliyev’s rise has been meteoric in every sense of the word, yet the Somali official has had to cope with deep professional setbacks alongside his achievements.

He was unable to obtain the necessary visa to enter the United States, a setback that would have discouraged many in the field. “It was an extremely difficult period,” Aliyev admitted to UEFA.com. “Many people sympathized with me, because when you have worked for years and are supposed to do something, but then cannot do it, it represents a major challenge. But I truly appreciate the support I received from all over the world; I am very grateful.”

Despite the pain caused by his absence from the tournament in North America, Aliyev’s resilience has been rewarded with a historic appointment in Europe.

Aliyev said: “I was lucky, but I worked very hard to get here, and I am very proud of that. As you can imagine, I grew up in difficult circumstances, but that did not stop me from pursuing my dreams.”

For Aliyev, the move to Europe represents new horizons. He said: “This will be my first match in Europe. Experiencing adventures, making memories, and learning new things is always wonderful.”