Somali referee Omar Artan has spoken out about the ‘tough period’ he endured after being shunned from the 2026 World Cup, ahead of officiating this week’s UEFA Super Cup.

The annual season curtain-raiser between the winners of the Champions League and the winners of the Europa League takes place this Wednesday in Austria. The showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa will be overseen by Artan, who will make history in the process.

The Somali official will become the first non-European referee to take charge of the Super Cup, a match he was awarded by UEFA after his dream of officiating at the World Cup this summer was denied due to bureaucratic obstacles.

Artan Speaks Out About World Cup Omission and Super Cup

Omar Artan via omar_artan on Instagram

Artan has been a referee in the Somali top flight since 2018, whilst he became a FIFA-listed official in the same year. He’s since gone on to become the first Somali to referee at the African Cup of Nations, as well as handling high-profile fixtures in the CAF Champions League.

This meteoric rise caught the eyes of those at FIFA, who selected Artan to officiate at this summer’s World Cup. However, despite securing a 3-month US entry visa and receiving a diplomatic passport, the 34-year-old was denied entry into the North American nation at Miami International Airport back in June.

This denial sparked international attention, and he’s since risen to prominence in the football world. UEFA subsequently appointed Artan as the referee for Wednesday night’s Super Cup at the Red Bull Arena.

Speaking to UEFA.com, the official admitted that the omission from the World Cup was difficult, but he’s excited to move forward with his career, starting on Wednesday night. Artan said:

“This will be my first match in Europe. Having adventures, making memories and learning new things is always great.

“When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment. There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria, and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this.”

What the CAF President Said About Artan at the Super Cup

REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko via Action Images

Artan landed in Salzburg on Monday evening and was greeted by several fans looking to take pictures with the referee.

Clearly a significant moment for African officials, CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe highlighted how this moment was an honour for Artan and for all referees emanating from the continent.

“This is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees,” he said (via UEFA.com).

“It’s an excellent example of football bringing together and uniting people.”

This could ultimately prove to be the start of a long and successful career for Artan in European football, if he choses to brach out, away from his home continent.

Rangers are in talks with Aston Villa over a move to sign defender Kosta Nedeljkovic on loan for the season, according to a report.

The Ibrox club have signed nine players already this summer with Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, Ben Godfrey, Dan Neil, Ross McCrorie, Daisuke Yokota, Olwethu Makhanya, Vanja Dragojevic, and Ivor Pandur all joining new manager Derek McInnes at the club.

Rangers are also on the verge of completing a £7m deal to sign winger Couhaib Driouech from PSV Eindhoven, but after losing captain James Tavernier at the end of last season when his contract expired, they are still in the hunt to add to their full-back department before the September 1st deadline.

Rangers Eyeing Aston Villa Starlet

via Reuters

Nedeljkovic, who has previously been described as ‘tremendous’, has been on the brink of a first-team breakthrough at Villa Park in recent times, and spent the last season-and-a-half on loan at Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig.

However, injuries and a change of managers have seen him restricted to just 17 appearances in that time for the German outfit, and now he has returned to Aston Villa to be part of Unai Emery’s side during pre-season.

But according to TEAMtalk, Rangers are now in discussions about a deal to take the 20-year-old to Glasgow to bolster their defensive options, and also give the Serbian some regular first-team football.

Unai Emery is understood to be a big fan of the defender, but views him more as a player for the future rather than someone who can compete with Matty Cash for a starting spot at this stage of his development.

The lightning-fast star is allowed to depart temporarily this summer, and Rangers are in talks to convince them about sending him to Ibrox. Discussions are still at an early stage and there is no agreement in place. Rangers would be open to a permanent deal or loan with a buy option, but Villa would need convincing to sanction that.

Nedeljkovic Very Highly-Rated

Rangers have started their season poorly, failing to win any of their first three games of the 2026/27 campaign, and the manager has admitted that he needs further reinforcements to get the team where he wants it to be.

Nedeljkovic has got experience at the highest level, and upon signing for RB Leipzig, Marcel Schafer sang his praises.

“We wanted to add further reinforcements to our squad in preparation for the months to come,” he said.

Manchester United are eyeing up a move to sign RB Leipzig star David Raum this summer after being told Lewis Hall is not for sale.

The Reds have made a new left-back a priority in the final weeks of the window as they look for competition for Luke Shaw, who has now entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford. Newcastle star Hall has been internally approved as a top target, but the Magpies have made it clear he won’t be sold this summer after a string of high-profile exits at St James’ Park.

United retain an interest in the England international but are now diverting their attention to alternative targets for this summer, and Raum is someone who they are keen on.

Raum Says Yes to Man Utd Move

Raum, who has been described as ‘one of the Bundesliga’s best left-backs’, has been a regular at RB Leipzig in recent seasons, but has now entered the final year of his contract.

The Germany international has a release clause worth around £34m in his deal which has alerted clubs to his situation, but according to TEAMtalk, intermediaries believe a deal could be possible for less than £30m in this window.

The 28-year-old has previously held talks with Man Utd about a move to Old Trafford, and it’s understood that he has given his green light to any potential move, and is ready to compete with Shaw to become the first-choice left-back.

United’s priority is finding a new left-back who can help the squad be competitive in a number of competitions after they qualified for the Champions League, and Raum’s contract situation means he is one of the most intriguing options available to them.

Jason Wilcox has all-but admitted defeat in his pursuit of Hall for this window, and the recruitment team are now expected to step up their push for a new left-back in the final weeks of the window.

Raum Loved by Vivell

Raum has been around the block, and at 28 would be joining the squad with great experience at the highest level, having been capped by Germany 39 times since 2021.

Man Utd’s director of recruitment is someone who knows Raum well, having worked with him at RB Leipzig, and he couldn’t help but sing his praises when asked back in 2024.

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 10/08/2026.