Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been handed a major international assignment just days after a visa controversy threatened to overshadow his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Artan, who was initially denied entry into the United States despite being selected as one of the tournament’s match officials, has now been appointed to officiate a high-profile friendly between French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg.
In a statement confirming the appointment, organisers said: “We’re pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg.”
The appointment comes after FIFA president Gianni Infantino publicly addressed Artan’s visa saga ahead of the World Cup, describing the situation as one of the key issues that had generated significant attention in recent weeks.
Artan’s case sparked debate within football circles after reports emerged that the respected Somali official had encountered difficulties securing permission to enter the United States, one of the host nations of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Despite the setback, FIFA remained confident that a solution would be found, with Infantino telling media at a pre-tournament briefing that football’s governing body was working closely with authorities to ensure all accredited participants could fulfil their World Cup duties.
The Salzburg appointment is a vote of confidence in Artan’s abilities and offers the referee an opportunity to remain active on the international stage while the visa matter continues to attract attention.
Artan has built a strong reputation within African football and has officiated several high-profile matches in Confederation of African Football [CAF] competitions. His selection for the World Cup was widely celebrated in Somalia, where he is regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished sporting officials.
It followed his handling of two successive CAF Champions League finals, including the 2025 edition recently in Morocco. The match between PSG and Aston Villa is expected to attract considerable global interest, providing Artan with another platform to showcase his credentials among some of the world’s leading players.