Omar Artan to Referee PSG-Aston Villa Super Cup After Being Barred From World Cup by US

Barely three weeks after the World Cup final, there is already another trophy on the line. PSG and Aston Villa meet this Wednesday in Salzburg for the UEFA Super Cup, the annual clash between the Champions League winner and the Europa League champion. And while the match itself carries plenty of intrigue, one name has generated almost as much conversation as the players involved: the referee.

That would be Omar Artan, the Somali official whom the United States barred from officiating World Cup matches days before the tournament kicked off, citing supposed concerns in his vetting process. US authorities pointed to alleged links to terrorist organizations, though they never produced any concrete evidence. UEFA responded in the strongest way it could: by tapping him to referee the final of its season opening showpiece, a move the soccer world received warmly and that many also read as a political jab at FIFA.

Artan himself, regarded as Africa's top referee last season and already the man who took charge of the 2025 African Champions League final, admitted how hard it was to be left out of the World Cup.

A lot of people have shown me sympathy because when someone has worked for many years and is supposed to do something, and then can't do it, it's very difficult. I really appreciate the support I received from everyone, I'm very grateful.Omar Artan

On the match itself, Artan admitted he prepared thoroughly for his first assignment on European soil:

The level in Europe is fantastic and the football they play is very, very good.Omar Artan

A PSG Squad With New Faces and Notable Absences

On the field, PSG will chase something only Real Madrid has managed in the modern era: retaining the Super Cup, which the Spanish club did in 2016 and 2017. Luis Enrique's side won it last year after beating Tottenham on penalties.

The Paris squad trickled back in stages after the World Cup. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who scored six goals and added two assists for France, returned Monday alongside Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola. Spain's Fabian Ruiz, who was key in the semifinal win over the French, also rejoined the group. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who skipped the World Cup because Georgia failed to qualify, has been training for longer and all signs point to him starting on the left, with newcomer Maghnes Akliouche an option on the right. That signing from Monaco could coincide with Barcola's departure, who has been strongly linked with Liverpool.

Luis Enrique could also call on a familiar face from the opposing side: Lucas Digne, who arrived from Villa on Sunday in a reported $12.7 million transfer (about 10 million euros). The 33-year-old fullback returns to a club that shaped his career: born just outside Paris, he signed for PSG in 2013 from Lille and was one of the first arrivals after the Qatari investors from QSI took over. He later played for Roma and Barcelona before spending eight years in the Premier League with Everton and Aston Villa, where he made 182 appearances.

Emery's Villa Dealing With Key Midfield Losses

Unai Emery's side, the former PSG manager himself, enters his fourth full season in charge with a largely reshuffled midfield. Morgan Rogers left for Chelsea, Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United, and, as mentioned, Digne departed for PSG. In response, Villa brought in Switzerland's Johan Manzambi, who impressed at the World Cup, and Brazil's Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton following their relegation. Manzambi, however, will be unavailable due to a knee injury.

Villa arrives in Salzburg fresh off winning the Europa League with a commanding 3-0 win over Freiburg in the final, marking their second European final under Emery. Between the unprecedented refereeing storyline, the crossover transfers and two teams hungry for silverware, the season's first major showdown promises to leave no one indifferent.