Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the Kuwait Zain Premier League final on June 29 following a special invitation from the Kuwait Football Association.
The appointment comes after Artan was denied entry into the United States, forcing him to miss his World Cup-related duties in a decision that drew widespread attention across African football.
The final round of the Kuwait Zain Premier League is expected to confirm Kuwait Club as champions of the 2025/26 season, with Artan selected to take charge of one of the country’s biggest domestic fixtures.
His appointment is seen as a major vote of confidence in the experienced Somali official despite the recent setback surrounding his travel to the United States.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has publicly backed Artan following the visa issue, describing him as one of Africa’s leading referees and reaffirming the Confederation of African Football’s support for him.
Artan’s schedule will remain busy after the Kuwait assignment, with the Somali official also set to referee the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa later this year, another landmark appointment in his career.
The 34-year-old continues to earn recognition on the international stage, with successive high-profile appointments underlining the confidence placed in him despite the disappointment of missing out on his World Cup duties.
