The Algerian Football Federation has confirmed the referee appointments for the national team’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Botswana and Guinea.
The first match, scheduled for Thursday, 4 September, will see Algeria face Botswana at the Hocine Aït-Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou, with kick-off at 20:00 local time.
Four days later, on Monday, 8 September, the Fennecs will meet Guinea in Casablanca, Morocco, at 17:00. These matches represent Matchdays 7 and 8 respectively in Group G of the African qualifiers.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named a quartet of Burundian officials to take charge of the clash against Botswana. Pacifique Ndabihawenimana, an experienced referee aged 40, will serve as the match referee.
He will be joined by fellow countrymen Emery Niyongabo and Rénovat Bizumuremyi as assistant referees, while Georges Gatogato has been appointed as the fourth official.
All four officials are regular fixtures in African international fixtures and have previously handled high-stakes encounters across the continent. Their selection signals CAF’s trust in their officiating standards, as Algeria prepares for a critical phase in their qualifying campaign.
Although the refereeing team for the Guinea fixture has not yet been officially disclosed by the federation, preparations for the two matches are already underway as Algeria aims to secure its place in the final stages of the qualification process for the 2026 tournament, set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The choice of neutral referees is a standard CAF protocol, aimed at maintaining impartiality and fairness in qualifying rounds. Ndabihawenimana, who has been officiating at the international level for several years, is known for his disciplined approach and calm presence on the pitch—qualities that will be crucial in what is expected to be a tightly contested encounter.
The fixture against Botswana, taking place in Algeria, marks a return to the Hocine Aït-Ahmed Stadium, which has recently hosted several domestic and international fixtures following upgrades to its facilities. The national team will be hoping to leverage home advantage in front of their supporters before travelling to Morocco for the second fixture.
The Casablanca match against Guinea is being played on neutral ground, as Guinea continues to host its international matches outside of the country due to stadium compliance issues. Despite this, Guinea remains a formidable opponent in the group and will be looking to strengthen their own chances of progressing to the next stage.
Algeria, a regular contender in African football, will be aiming to return to the World Cup after narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2022 edition in Qatar. Under the leadership of coach Djamel Belmadi, the team is currently undergoing a rebuilding phase, blending experienced players with emerging talents.
With Group G shaping up to be one of the more competitive pools in the CAF qualification campaign, the outcome of these two matches could prove decisive in determining who advances. The referee selections reflect CAF’s ongoing commitment to appointing seasoned officials to oversee crucial ties, ensuring the integrity of the qualification process remains intact.
