Abu Dhabi, UAE – FIFA has announced the selection of an Emirati refereeing team, led by international referee Omar Al Ali, and assisted by Mohammed Ahmed and Mohammed Obaid, to officiate matches at the 2026 World Cup.
The next edition of the tournament is scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It will feature 48 teams, a record number of participating nations.
FIFA explained that 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video assistant referees (VARs) were selected from all six continental confederations. The selection was also made from 54 member national associations to officiate matches at the world’s premier football event.
The selection of the Emirati crew came after Omar Al Ali’s outstanding performances in recent times. This marks his first time officiating at a global event.
Al Ali is the first Emirati referee to graduate from the Asian Football Confederation’s Future Referees Project in 2014. He began his refereeing career in 2010, before receiving his international badge in 2015.
This selection marks the eighth appearance of Emirati referees at the World Cup finals. Former international referee Ali Bujsaim previously participated in three editions: 1994, 1998, and 2002. Assistant referee Issa Darwish officiated at the 2006 edition in Germany, and assistant referee Saleh Al Marzouqi at the 2010 edition in South Africa. Additionally, referee Mohammed Abdullah Hassan officiated at the 2018 edition in Russia and the 2022 edition in Qatar.
