By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
FIFA has unveiled the list of referees selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with experienced veterans and several first-time officials earning appointments for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The governing body confirmed more than 50 referees from across its six confederations for the expanded tournament, which will feature 48 teams for the first time in World Cup history.
Among the standout appointments is Mustapha Ghorbal of Algeria, who will officiate at his third World Cup after previous appearances in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, making him one of the most experienced officials on the list.
Also drawing attention is Omar Abdulkadir Artan of Somalia, who will make his World Cup debut in what marks a landmark moment for both the referee and Somali football.
Other referees selected include some of the most recognisable officials in world football, such as Szymon Marciniak (Poland) – Referee for the 2022 World Cup final, Michael Oliver (England), Anthony Taylor (England), Clément Turpin (France), Danny Makkelie (Netherlands) and Raphael Claus (Brazil).
The appointments reflect FIFA’s continued emphasis on balancing elite tournament experience with emerging officiating talent as preparations intensify for the biggest World Cup in history.
The selected referees will undergo further technical seminars and tournament-specific training in the months leading up to the competition to ensure readiness for the demands of the expanded format.
The 2026 edition will be the first World Cup hosted by three nations and is expected to be the largest in the tournament’s history, both in scale and number of matches.
With officiating standards under constant scrutiny at major international tournaments, FIFA’s referee appointments are expected to play a critical role in shaping the competition.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June to July 2026.
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