Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has received another major recognition from UEFA after being invited to attend the 2026 UEFA Men’s Summer Course in Geneva, Switzerland.
The course is scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 2 and will bring together referees as part of UEFA’s efforts to improve and develop match officials.
The invitation comes just days after Artan made history by becoming the first non-European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup.
He took charge of the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, with PSG winning 2-1.
Artan’s appointment to the prestigious fixture was a major milestone for African refereeing and followed his recognition as the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025.
The latest invitation is expected to further strengthen Artan’s relationship with UEFA. Reports indicate that UEFA is also interested in having him officiate more matches in Europe, although such assignments would depend on the cooperation between the European and African football governing bodies.
Artan has built a strong reputation through his performances in major CAF competitions. He became the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations and has also handled high-profile CAF Champions League matches. He was added to the FIFA international referees list in 2018.
His recent achievements are particularly significant after he was unable to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States after being denied entry to the country.
