Somali referee Omar Artan described taking charge of Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg as his personal World Cup, months after being denied entry to the United States and missing out on officiating at the tournament itself.

The 34-year-old had been named among FIFA's panel of referees for the World Cup, but was turned away on arrival at Miami International Airport earlier this year.

A US State Department official said at the time that Artan was linked to suspected members of terrorist organisations, making him ineligible for admission, an allegation the referee firmly rejected. The episode caused outrage in Somalia, where he returned home to a hero's welcome.

UEFA later stepped in to offer Artan the Super Cup appointment, a match PSG went on to win 2-1. On Thursday, the European body shared a photograph on X of the match ball, on which Artan had written the words: "This was my World Cup." UEFA captioned the post: "A special Super Cup souvenir from Omar Artan."

Artan used his own Instagram account to thank both UEFA and the Confederation of African Football for the opportunity. "Thanks to everyone who made this possible," he wrote.

"Especially to UEFA for giving me the trust and opportunity and who welcomed me to their continent with open arms. My own confederation, CAF, for the support and making this possible."

UEFA pointed to the cooperation agreement it signed with CAF at the end of April as the basis for Artan's appointment. The gesture also carries political weight, coming amid an ongoing dispute between UEFA and FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his now-abandoned plan to open the World Cup to private investment, a proposal that collapsed largely due to opposition led by UEFA, which has continued to raise the prospect of boycotting FIFA tournaments, including future World Cups, in a bid to pressure Infantino to step down.