UEFA Super Cup was my World Cup – Somali referee

Somali referee Omar Artan has hailed officiating the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa as his "World Cup" experience, despite being denied entry to the actual tournament. The 34-year-old was part of the FIFA panel of referees for the World Cup, but faced travel restrictions upon arriving in Miami International Airport, where he was turned away by US authorities.

Following the incident, UEFA invited Artan to officiate the Super Cup in Salzburg, where PSG triumphed over Aston Villa with a 2-1 score. Artan shared a photograph of the match ball with the inscription, "This was my World Cup," which UEFA later posted on X. The match ball became a special souvenir from the event. Artan was denied entry to the United States due to allegations that he was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," a claim he vehemently denied, causing outrage in Somalia, where he is celebrated as a hero.

The opportunity to officiate a high-profile international match despite missing the World Cup marked a significant milestone in Artan's refereeing career.