Omar Artan, a 34-year-old referee from Somalia, is set to make history as the first non-European official to oversee the UEFA Super Cup. The match, which features a contest between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa, will take place in Salzburg. This high-profile assignment comes shortly after Artan was unable to participate in the World Cup because he was denied entry into the United States.

Artan has expressed his gratitude for the UEFA appointment, describing the opportunity as a significant moment in his career. While the specific reasons for the U.S. visa denial were not detailed in the report, Artan’s selection by UEFA is being framed as a notable milestone for international officiating. By appointing a non-European referee for one of its marquee annual matches, UEFA is breaking with its traditional reliance on officials from within its own confederation. Artan has publicly acknowledged the emotional weight of the situation, noting that receiving the call from UEFA provided a sense of professional validation following the disappointment of his World Cup exclusion.