Omar Abdulkadir Artan

Omar Abdulkadir Artan (born 1992)^[1] is a Somali football referee. Artan earlier became the first referee from Somalia to take charge of a continental final, overseeing Egypt’s Pyramids FC triumph over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in Cairo. He has also officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Moreover, Omar has also made history as the first Somali referee selected for a FIFA World Cup tournament. He is among three centre referees chosen from Africa and the sole representative from Sub-Saharan Africa to officiate at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.^[2][3][4]

Artan is an official referee in the Somalia first division league and member of FIFA listed referees as well. Artan, born in Mogadishu in 1992, became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018.^[5] He made history in January 2024 as the first Somali to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations, overseeing the Group E match between Tunisia and Namibia. He has also handled high-profile fixtures in the CAF Champions League and 2026 FIFA.^[1] Artan was a part of a nine-member contingent from Africa that includes three referees and six assistant referees selected.^[4][6] However, Artan's achievement buried Somalia's poor record football history in the last three decades witnessing a referee from Somalia representing not only Somalia but also African continent. Somalia's footballing landscape faced numerous challenges due to instability and conflict that plagued the country for decades. However, recent efforts to restore peace and security have created opportunities for football revival. FIFA played a pivotal role in this revival by offering training to Somali referees and young footballers. Training had been halted for many years due to the unstable situation in the country. However, with the security improvement, FIFA resumed its training programs.^[7] Omar Artan managed to fill out big gaps getting benefited from those trainings and programs.

Artan is a Somali international football referee recognized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.^[2] Born in Mogadishu in the early 1990s,^[1] Artan began his refereeing career in local Somali leagues before being included on the FIFA international referees list in 2018. Since then, he has emerged as one of the most prominent Somali match officials, representing his country in several major continental and international tournaments.

Artan has officiated in multiple CAF competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he became the first Somali referee to be appointed at this level. He has also been selected for prestigious assignments such as CAF Champions League matches and the FIFA U-20 World Cup.^[3] His career is regarded as a breakthrough for Somali referees on the global stage, as he has consistently demonstrated professionalism, resilience, and competence in high-profile games. Artan’s success has been celebrated nationally and internationally, with Somali sporting authorities and media describing his achievements as a source of pride and an inspiration for the country’s sporting development.^[6]