FIFA announces match officials for 2026 U-17 World Cup in Qatar

FIFA has announced the 81 match officials selected to officiate the men’s Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, scheduled to take place from November 19 to December 13, 2026. The group includes 27 referees and 54 assistant referees representing 36 member associations.

Notable appointments include Nigerian referee Kasimu Abdulsalam, who is one of four center referees chosen from Africa, and Samoan assistant referee Malaetala Salanoa, who will be participating in his second FIFA event. Other officials selected include Morocco’s Mohamed El Baroudi and Abdelsamad Aberton, as well as New Zealand’s Calvin Berg and Vanuatu’s Jeremy Garae.

FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina stated that the officials were chosen based on their performance and their ability to work within an international team to meet the demands of a major tournament. The competition will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, primarily held in the Aspire Zone, with the final at Khalifa International Stadium. The tournament will also utilize Football Video Support (FVS) technology.