Ten African referees have been included in the preliminary shortlist for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports by AfricaSoccer.com.
The expanded global tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams for the first time. Africa will have nine automatic qualification slots, increasing the continent’s presence at football’s biggest showpiece.
As preparations intensify, FIFA has reportedly drawn up an initial pool of referees being monitored for potential selection, with ten officials from across Africa making the early list.
Among those shortlisted are Mustapha Ghorbal, Jean-Jacques Ndala, Amin Omar, Pierre Atcho, Beida Dahane, Issa Sy, Omar Artan, Tom Abunjil, Mahmoud Ismail, and Jalal Jiyed.
Morocco could also have representation in the Video Assistant Referee team, with experienced official Hamza El Farouk reportedly under consideration for a VAR role.
Despite the circulating reports, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football are yet to confirm the final list of match officials, describing some media claims as unverified.
The selection process for World Cup referees involves multiple stages of technical, physical, and performance evaluations. Officials are closely monitored during continental and international competitions, with detailed assessments conducted before final appointments are made.
The preliminary pool is expected to be narrowed in the coming months as referees undergo further training camps and fitness tests ahead of the official announcement. With the 2026 World Cup set to be the largest edition in history, African referees will be aiming to secure a place and play a key role on football’s biggest stage.