FIFA Selects Referees for 2026 World Cup, Ndala Omitted

FIFA has announced the selection of seven central referees, ten assistant referees, and two Video Assistant Referees (VAR) for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Notably absent from the list is Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala, who officiated the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final two months prior in Morocco.

The match was marred by controversy as Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a halt in play. Senegal ultimately won the match 1-0, but Morocco was later declared the winner by the CAF appeal committee.

The selected referees include experienced officials such as Mustapha Ghorbal from Algeria and Omar Artan from Somalia, marking Artan's FIFA World Cup debut. The assistant referees and VAR officials also represent various African nations, highlighting the diversity in officiating for the tournament.