The appointment represents a remarkable opportunity for the Somali official, who will referee his first match in European football. “I was lucky, but I have worked very hard to be here and I’m really proud,” Artan told UEFA. Artan made history in 2024 when he became the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations. ALSO READ: Why America turned back FIFA World Cup referee Omar ArtanUEFA has frequently found itself at odds with FIFA, and Artan’s appointment comes amid an increasingly tense relationship between European football’s governing body and FIFA president Infantino. The latest disagreement centres on the abandoned proposal to open up the World Cup to private investors.