Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala will not officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite his prominent role in recent continental competitions, having been omitted from the referees list.
His absence from the final list of African referees selected for the tournament has come as a surprise to many within African football circles.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across United States, Canada and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19, bringing together the world’s best players and officials.
However, Ndala will not be among those chosen to take charge of matches.
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees, Ndala’s recent performances had strengthened his reputation.
He officiated both the opening match and the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco—two of the most high-profile fixtures in African football.
His exclusion is particularly notable given that he had been cleared by the Confederation of African Football following scrutiny over his handling of a controversial fixture between Senegal and Morocco during the tournament.
Despite the criticism that followed that match, CAF did not impose any disciplinary sanctions on him.
Instead, FIFA has selected a different group of referees to represent Africa at the global tournament.
The list includes officials such as Mustapha Ghorbal, Amin Mohamed, Pierre Atcho, Jalal Jayed, Dahane Beida, Tom Abongile and Omar Artan.
Ndala’s omission has been described as a major decision, particularly given his experience on big occasions.
The development has sent shockwaves through sections of the African football community, where Ndala is viewed as one of the continent’s elite officials.
His absence raises broader concerns about how referees from Africa are evaluated and selected for global tournaments.
While FIFA has not publicly detailed the reasons behind individual selections, the decision highlights the intense competition among referees worldwide for limited spots at the World Cup.
Only a small number of officials are chosen, often based on a combination of performance, fitness, consistency, and assessments over time.
For Ndala, missing out on the 2026 tournament represents a significant setback in what has otherwise been a strong refereeing career.
