Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has made the final list of elite referees from Africa who have been selected to officiate in the anticipated FIFA 2026 World Cup that will be hosted in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Artan had earlier made history as the first-ever Somali referee to officiate a World Cup match in the recently concluded FIFA under-20 World Cup 2025, where he officiated the 3rd playoff match between Colombia and France.

He is among the 15 elite referees from Africa who are to undertake training in Qatar.