FIFA confirms officials for expanded global tournament
FIFA has announced the final list of match officials for the 2026 World Cup, revealing a significant Arab presence while confirming the absence of any Tunisian referees across all officiating roles.
The tournament, set to be hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 matches played between 11 June and 19 July.
FIFA’s list includes 52 referees, 87 assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees (VAR), marking one of the largest officiating teams assembled for a World Cup.
Arab officials well represented across roles
Among those selected are 10 Arab referees tasked with leading matches on the pitch. These include Abdul Rahman Al-Jassim, Khalid Al-Turais, Omar Qartan, Dahane Beida, Mustafa Ghorbal, Jalal Jiyed, Amin Omar, Omar Al-Ali and Adham Makhadmeh.
Assistant referees from Arab nations also feature prominently, with nine officials included, while five more have been appointed to VAR duties. These include Mahmoud Ashour and Khamis Al-Marri, among others.
The distribution highlights representation from multiple Arab countries, particularly in VAR roles, although Jordan and Algeria were not represented in that specific category.
Tunisia absent from all categories
Despite the strong regional presence, Tunisia does not have any representatives among referees, assistant referees or VAR officials. The absence is notable given the country’s previous involvement in international officiating.
Selection shaped by recent performances
FIFA’s choices have also drawn attention for excluding some high-profile African referees, including Issa Sy and Jean-Jacques Ndala. Their omission has been linked to performances and controversial decisions during the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, particularly in matches involving Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal and the host nation.
Preparation camps influenced final decisions
The final selections follow a series of preparatory camps held across Asia, Africa and Europe, which served as the last stage of evaluation before confirming the officiating teams.
In Africa, a preparatory camp held in Doha featured leading referees such as Mustafa Ghorbal, Jalal Jiyed and Amin Omar, alongside officials from Sudan, South Africa, Gabon and others. A parallel camp for Asian referees included figures such as Abdul Rahman Al-Jassim and Adham Makhadmeh.
These camps played a decisive role in shaping FIFA’s final list, allowing the referees’ committee to assess performance, fitness and readiness for the global tournament.
Opening match and tournament scale
The 2026 World Cup is expected to open with a match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium on 11 June, setting the stage for the largest edition of the competition to date.
Representation and absence define selection
FIFA’s announcement reflects both growing diversity in officiating and the competitive nature of selection at the highest level. While Arab referees have secured a strong foothold across multiple roles, Tunisia’s absence and the exclusion of notable African officials underline the rigorous evaluation process shaping the final line-up.
