FIFA has officially released the list of African match referees for the 2026 World Cup tournament.
This is as FIFA confirmed there will be no Nigerian representation at the 2026 World Cup officiating.
Despite the tournament expanding to 48 teams and requiring a record 170 match officials, Nigeria’s long-standing absence from the elite refereeing ranks continues.
The FIFA Referees Committee, headed by the legendary Pierluigi Collina, announced a final selection of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials (VMOs) drawn from 50 Member Associations.
Collina stated that the selected officials represent the best in the world after a rigorous evaluation process.
“The selected match officials are the very best in the world. They were part of a wider pool of officials that was identified and monitored over the past three years,” Collina said.
Africa will be represented by seven center referees at the 2026 World Cup, yet none hail from the most populous nation on the continent.
Meanwhile, the selected African referees for the 2026 World Cup are Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria), Amin Mohamed (Egypt), Pierre Atcho (Gabon), Jalal Jayed (Morocco), Dahane Beida (Mauritania), Tom Abongile (South Africa), and Omar Artan (Somalia).
The officials impressed during continental competitions under the Confederation of African Football and are now set to represent Africa at the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Despite the strong lineup, the decision has generated controversy after the exclusion of experienced referees such as Issa Sy and Jean-Jacques Ndala, both of whom have officiated major international fixtures.
Daniel Laryea was also left out of the final list, further fueling debate within African football circles.
Below is a short profile of the selected African referees for the 2026 World Cup;
Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
Widely respected for his calm authority, Ghorbal has built a reputation for handling high-pressure matches across Africa.
Amin Mohamed (Egypt)
A seasoned referee with extensive experience in club competitions, known for his composure and technical accuracy.
Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
Recognised for consistency and fairness, Atcho has steadily gained prominence in both domestic and continental fixtures.
Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
With experience in major tournaments, Jayed is accustomed to officiating intense and high-stakes encounters.
Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
An emerging name, Beida is noted for his strict but balanced officiating style.
Tom Abongile (South Africa)
A familiar face in CAF competitions, Abongile is regarded as one of the continent’s reliable referees.
Omar Artan (Somalia)
Artan has earned praise for his discipline and control in matches across regional and domestic levels.
