PSG and Aston Villa will face off on Wednesday for the UEFA Super Cup. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

Many stars are missing: UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg

Champions League winner against Europa League champion: For a few hours on Wednesday (21 pm), football fans from all over Europe will be looking towards Salzburg.

August 11, 2026

From: apa

In Wals-Siezenheim, Paris Saint-Germain aims to repeat their victory in the UEFA Super Cup, again as favorites. Aston Villa hopes for their second triumph in Europe's prestigious competition, following their win in 1983. PSG has also won the title once. Many stars are expected to be absent.

World Player of the Year Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Warren Zaire-Emery and Lucas Hernandez, all of whom played for France at the World Cup, as well as Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Spain's World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz, only returned to training on Monday. Their participation is highly doubtful.

Past titles are "irrelevant" for Luis Enrique

“Our titles are irrelevant, that’s in the past. We have to look ahead and keep winning. But that’s very difficult because there are so many teams at this level with the same ambition,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique. They have to do everything right to stay on the winning track. “That’s my motivation, but I’m certainly no genius,” the Spaniard emphasized.

Aston Villa also lost key players Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans in addition to Digne. Record summer signing Johan Manzambi will be sidelined for weeks with a knee injury. However, coach Unai Emery isn't complaining. "It's fantastic to compete against the best team in the world and fight for another title," said the Aston Villa manager. His team faces a "huge test" and has the chance to further raise the profile of their club in the football world.

Omar Artan was not allowed to enter the country for the World Cup, but will now referee the UEFA Super Cup final. © APA/afp / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD

The refereeing appointment is historic. Omar Artan will be the first non-European to officiate the Super Cup. The referee from Somalia was supposed to referee the World Cup, but was denied entry to the USA. Now, the 34-year-old is finally getting the chance to prove himself on the big stage.