CAIRO — Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has praised Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, describing his recent achievements as a milestone for African officiating on the global stage.
“Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire African continent extremely proud,” Motsepe said, highlighting the referee’s rapid rise in international football.
Motsepe noted that Artan’s recognition as CAF Men’s Referee of the Year 2025 reflects years of consistency, discipline, and high-level performance across continental competitions. He added that Artan’s appointment to the FIFA World Cup 2026 marks one of the highest honors available in world football refereeing.
“His CAF Men’s Referee of the Year 2025 award and his appointment to the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect he enjoys,” Motsepe said.
The CAF President also confirmed his appreciation to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin for facilitating Artan’s involvement in elite European fixtures, including his selection for the UEFA Super Cup 2026, describing it as a “symbol of trust and cooperation between confederations.”
“I am grateful to my friend Aleksander Čeferin for enabling him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup 2026,” he said, adding that such cooperation strengthens ties between African and European football institutions.
Motsepe said Artan’s appointments represent more than personal success, calling them a breakthrough moment for African referees striving to reach top international levels.
“This is a great honour for Omar Artan and African referees, and a strong example of football uniting Africa, Europe, and the world,” he said.
Artan’s rise has been widely celebrated across Somali and African football circles, where his journey is seen as an example of how referees from emerging football nations can reach elite global competitions through merit and performance.
His selection for both UEFA and FIFA events is viewed as a historic step for Somali representation in international football officiating.
— HORN Africa News (HAN)
