CAF president praises Omar Artan after World Cup appointment

CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe has praised Somali referee Omar Artan, saying his achievements have made Somalia and the entire African continent proud.\n\nArtan was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year for 2025 and has been appointed to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Motsepe said those honours recognise the referee’s world-class ability and the international respect he has earned.\n\nThe CAF president also thanked UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin for enabling Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.\n\n“This is a great honour for Omar Artan and African referees, and a strong example of football uniting Africa, Europe and the world,” Motsepe said.\n\nArtan’s rise represents a significant moment for Somali football and African match officials, demonstrating a growing level of trust in referees from the continent at the game’s biggest events.