By Issah Olegor
Seven African referees have secured places on the official list of match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underscoring the continent’s growing influence not only in football talent but also in elite officiating on the global stage.
Ironically, no Ghanaian referee was named for the tournament even though the national team, Black Stars in s participating in the summer mundial.
The tournament, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will feature an expanded 48-team format for the first time in history.
As part of preparations, FIFA has released its final list of referees, with Africa represented by a diverse and experienced group of seven officials. Leading the contingent is Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho, joined by South Africa’s Tom Abongile and Somalia’s Omar Abdulkadir Artan.
They are accompanied by Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, Algeria’s highly regarded Mustapha Ghorbal, Egypt’s experienced Amin Mohamed Omar, and Morocco’s Jalal Jayed.
The selection reflects a balance between seasoned officials with experience in high-profile matches and emerging referees who have impressed in recent continental competitions.
Their inclusion is widely seen as recognition of consistent performances in tournaments organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA competitions, as African refereeing continues to gain credibility and trust on the global stage.
However, the selection process has not been without controversy. Notable omissions include Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala and Senegal’s Issa Sy, both of whom have officiated at top-level competitions in recent years.
Ndala’s absence, in particular, follows scrutiny over his handling of the recent Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco, a match that descended into chaos after Senegal players staged a protest walk-off, leading to a temporary suspension of play.
