The reputation and competence of Nigerian referees have suffered another setback, as none was selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The FIFA has officially unveiled the list of referees for the mundial, with seven officials picked from Africa.
The selected referees come from across the continent, reflecting the growing recognition of officiating standards in African football.
Those named on the list are Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria), Amin Mohamed (Egypt), Pierre Atcho (Gabon), Jalal Jayed (Morocco), Dahane Beida (Mauritania), Tom Abongile (South Africa), and Omar Artan (Somalia).
Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal headlines the list as the most experienced, having previously officiated at both the 2018 and 2022 editions of the World Cup.
His inclusion underscores CAF’s reliance on seasoned officials with proven track records on the global stage, while for others, the tournament represents a major career milestone.
Somali referee Omar Artan is set to make his World Cup debut, marking a historic achievement for his country and signaling CAF’s commitment to inclusivity and development across all regions.
The appointments also reflect FIFA’s continued confidence in African referees, who are expected to play key roles in ensuring the smooth conduct of matches at the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
