Omar Artan could soon be officiating in the Egyptian Premier League

A request is reported to have been officially submitted to the Egyptian football authorities, and discussions are said to be underway pending possible approval from the Egyptian Football Association.

Well-known on the African football scene, Omar Artan is said to have expressed an interest in officiating in the Egyptian Premier League. The Somali referee’s request is said to have been forwarded to Egyptian football officials and is currently under discussion. However, the project’s realisation remains subject to approval by the Egyptian Football Association.

A FIFA international referee since 2018, Omar Artan has gradually established himself as one of the continent’s leading officials. He refereed the second leg of the 2024–2025 CAF Champions League final and officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations. In 2025, he was named African Referee of the Year.

Although he was denied entry to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Somali referee was subsequently approached by UEFA to referee the Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August. He thus became the first African referee to officiate a UEFA match.