Days after being denied entry to the United States and stripped of his place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Somali referee Omar Artan has been handed one of European football's most prestigious assignments.

UEFA has officially appointed Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners Aston Villa. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria, with kick-off at 21:00 CET.

In a statement, UEFA said the appointment followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football, describing it as a recognition of Artan's excellence and a gesture of solidarity with African football. It will also mark the first time Salzburg hosts a major UEFA club final.

The appointment has been widely celebrated across Africa and Europe, with fans flooding social media with messages of support. Many are framing it as the football world's answer to the treatment Artan received at Miami International Airport, where US Customs and Border Protection turned him away despite his valid visa, citing vetting concerns.

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Artan, 34, had been set to make history as Somalia's first referee at a FIFA World Cup before that door was shut. UEFA has now opened a different one.

PSG face Aston Villa in what promises to be a marquee occasion made even more special by the man holding the whistle.