Artan has been on the FIFA international list since 2018 and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 Following discussions with its sister confederation, Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), UEFA has today appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, which will take place on 12 August in…
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana face hosts Mexico tonight in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup. (Image source: FIFA) As South Africa’s Bafana Bafana face hosts Mexico tonight in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup, tournament organisers have deployed a suite of advanced technologies aimed at improving officiating accuracy and enhancing the…
The African Union on Thursday threw its support behind the 10 African nations competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Somalia protested a US decision to deny entry to one of the continent’s most prominent football referees. In a statement marking the start of the competition, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the…
A Somali referee celebrated as Africa’s best has reportedly been denied entry into the United States and sent back to Turkey upon arrival at Miami International Airport, preventing him from officiating at the upcoming Fifa World Cup, according to the world football governing body Fifa. Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, who was named the 2025 Caf…
The AU’s response to the 2025 elections shows that it prioritises procedure over political competitiveness and democratic substance. Africa’s 2025 polls reveal a growing disjuncture between electoral activity and democratic performance, even as the African Union (AU) seeks to improve its election monitoring activities. The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance mandates the AU…
Antsino will become the first Namibian to take charge of the WAFCON final A team of experienced African women officials tasked with big day All-female officials reflect CAF’s continued investment in women’s football Antsino of Namibia has been appointed by CAF to referee the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2024 Final….
