Four Moroccan referees named among officials for 2026 World Cup

Morocco is set to make a notable impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with four of its referees selected to officiate at the global tournament, including the country’s first central referee appearance in nearly two decades.

FIFA confirmed the full list of match officials for the competition scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, with a total of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials chosen. Among the African contingent, Morocco stands out as one of the most represented nations alongside Egypt.

The North African country will be represented across multiple officiating roles, underlining the depth and quality of its refereeing system. Jalal Jayed has been selected as a central referee, while Mustapha Akarkad and Zakaria Brinsi will serve as assistant referees. Hamza El Fariq completes the quartet as a video assistant referee.

Jayed’s inclusion is particularly historic, as he becomes the first Moroccan central referee to officiate at a World Cup since 2006, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s football officiating development.

The announcement also drew attention for the absence of Jean-Jacques Ndala, who was in charge of the controversial 2025 AFCON final. The match was heavily scrutinised following several disputed decisions and a temporary walk-off by Senegal players. Although the Confederation of African Football later cleared Ndala of any wrongdoing, FIFA opted not to include him in the final list for the 2026 tournament.

Morocco’s strong representation follows the awarding of FIFA international badges to 33 of its referees earlier this year, further reinforcing the country’s growing influence in global officiating circles. With officials present across multiple categories and increasing recognition on the international stage, Moroccan refereeing continues to rise in prominence ahead of the country’s role as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.