Background and career
Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somali: Cumar Cabdulqaadir Cartan; Arabic: عمر عبد القادر عرتن; born 6 June 1992) is a Somali football referee who has been on the FIFA International Referees List since 2018.
Artan was the first referee from Somalia to take charge of a continental final, overseeing Egyptian side Pyramids FC's 2024–25 CAF Champions League triumph over South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in Cairo. He has also officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He was the sole representative from Sub-Saharan Africa to officiate at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Somali sporting authorities and media have described Artan's achievements as a source of pride and an inspiration for the country's sporting development.
He was the first Somali referee selected for a FIFA World Cup tournament, among three centre referees chosen from Africa. However, Artan was not allowed to enter the United States and was removed from the tournament, generating controversy. Shortly after, he was selected as the referee for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, which took place on 12 August 2026.
