On his 34th birthday, Omar Artan boarded a plane to the U.S. to become the first Somali referee at a FIFA World Cup. But he was denied entry after 11 hours of questioning by U.S. Customs. Andrew Giuliani alleged without evidence that Artan was associated with suspected terrorists.

The heartbreak turned into a remarkable opportunity. After the international outcry, CAF and UEFA appointed Artan to referee the UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa. It was the first time a non-European officiated a major UEFA final. He had previously won CAF Referee of the Year in 2025.

Artan's journey began in war-torn Mogadishu. He took up refereeing after a leg injury ended his playing career and became FIFA-certified in 2018. At the Super Cup, he allowed a crucial goal by Désiré Doué that decided the match. Artan's message: "Don't stop dreaming."