FIFA Snubs 2025 AFCON Final Referee, Appoints 7 African Referees For 2026 World Cup

Africa will have seven referees at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the headline selection has been overshadowed by the omission of Congolese official Jean-Jacques Ndala following controversy at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

World football governing body FIFA released its final list of match officials yesterday, with Ndala notably absent after scrutiny surrounding his handling of the AFCON showpiece earlier this year. His exclusion has sparked debate across the continent, given his previous standing among Africa’s elite referees.

Despite the setback, the Confederation of African Football will still be represented by a strong contingent drawn from across the continent. The selected referees are Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria), Amin Mohamed (Somalia), Pierre Atcho (Gabon), Jalal Jayed (Morocco), Dahane Beida (Mauritania), Tom Abongile (South Africa), and Omar Artan (Somalia).

A record list of 170 match officials will officiate the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement released yesterday, the global governing body announced that 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials have been appointed following a rigorous three-year selection process. The officials were drawn from all six confederations and 50 Member Associations, underlining the global scope of the expanded tournament.

Leading the African delegation is Algeria’s Ghorbal, widely regarded as one of the continent’s most accomplished officials. He brings a wealth of experience, having officiated at both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, and is expected to play a key role in mentoring less experienced colleagues.

For others, including Artan, the appointment represents a landmark moment. The Somali referee is set to make his World Cup debut, a significant achievement both personally and for football development in his country.

The selection underlines CAF’s continued progress in producing referees capable of performing on the global stage. It also reflects growing confidence in African officiating, with the continent not only contributing competitive teams but also trusted match officials to the world’s biggest tournament.

However, Ndala’s omission remains a talking point, serving as a reminder of the intense scrutiny and high standards required at elite level. As the road to 2026 gathers pace, Africa’s chosen officials will be determined to justify their selection and reinforce the continent’s rising reputation in international refereeing.