The list of African referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now official. A total of 19 match officials from the continent will represent Africa at the tournament scheduled for June 2026. The breakdown is as follows: 7 central referees, 10 assistant referees, and 2 VAR officials.
African Central Referees (CAF)
- Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)
- Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
- Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
- Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
- Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
- Amin Mohamed (Egypt)
- Abongile Tom (South Africa)
Total: 7 central referees
African Assistant Referees (CAF)
- Amos Abeigne (Gabon)
- Mostafa Akarkad (Morocco)
- Zakaria Brinsi (Morocco)
- Boris Ditsoga (Gabon)
- Mokrane Gourari (Algeria)
- Ahmed Hossam Taha (Egypt)
- Jerson Santos (Angola)
- Elvis Noupue (Cameroon)
- Zakhele Siwela (South Africa)
- Abbes Akram Zerhouni (Algeria)
Total: 10 assistant referees
African Video Match Officials (VAR)
- Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt)
- Hamza El Fariq (Morocco)
Total: 2 VAR officials
Overall CAF Summary
- Central referees: 7
- Assistant referees: 10
- VAR officials: 2
- Total African officials: 19
Notably, Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala was not selected by FIFA and will not officiate at the World Cup. Ndala was widely regarded as one of Africa’s top referees, having officiated both the opening match and the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Senegal’s Issa Sy was also left out of the final list.
These officials will carry the responsibility of representing African football at the highest level, once again highlighting the continent’s growing presence in major international competitions.
Leave a comment