Special Super Cup match in Salzburg

PSG come into the 2026 European Super Cup as the Champions League titleholders, with Aston Villa being the Europa League victors. The encounter in Salzburg is more than a battle between two European champions; it is also notable for the involvement of Somali referee Omar Artan, who previously missed out on officiating at the 2026 World Cup.

The 2026 European Super Cup takes place at 02:00 on August 13 (Vietnam time) at Stadion Salzburg, Austria. It is a clash between PSG, the Champions League champions, and Aston Villa, the Europa League winners. PSG enter the match as the defending Super Cup champions. In 2025, the French side were trailing 2-0 against Tottenham but fought back to draw 2-2 before winning 4-3 on penalties in Udine, Italy.

Luis Enrique's team therefore aims to defend the title. After winning the Champions League for the first time, PSG continue to prove they are not a one-season wonder and are building their status as a new power in Europe.

Aston Villa brings a different story. The English club returns to the European Super Cup after more than four decades. In 1982, Aston Villa defeated Barcelona over two legs to win this trophy. This is only the second time in Villa's history that they have appeared in the European Super Cup match.

The European Super Cup is an annual match between the Champions League and Europa League winners. If the two teams are tied after 90 minutes, the match is decided immediately by a penalty shootout, with no extra time.

Stadion Salzburg hosts a UEFA club final for the first time. This stadium previously hosted three matches at EURO 2008, a tournament co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.

This is also the home ground of FC Salzburg, a team that regularly appears in the Champions League in recent seasons. UEFA's choice of Salzburg brings a notable event to Austrian football at the start of the new season.

One of the most notable highlights of the match lies off the pitch. Somali referee Omar Artan, 34, has been chosen by UEFA to officiate the clash between PSG and Aston Villa.

Artan was previously denied entry to the United States and could not officiate at the 2026 World Cup. He acknowledged that it was an extremely difficult experience after years of striving to achieve his goal, but also expressed gratitude for the support received from around the world.

Artan's selection to officiate the European Super Cup stems from a cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF signed in late April. The two organizations aim to enhance exchanges in various fields, especially refereeing. Artan considers this a great honor to represent Africa in a major European football match. For him, this is not just a match but also a testament to a journey of overcoming adversity.