World Cup 2026: Moroccan referee Jalal Jiyed to officiate Germany-Curacao opener in Houston

FIFA has entrusted a Moroccan refereeing team, led by experienced international official Jalal Jiyed, with officiating duties for the Group E World Cup fixture between Germany and Curacao, scheduled for Sunday, June 14 at Houston Stadium in Texas.

The appointment marks another significant milestone for Moroccan match officials on the global stage, underlining FIFA’s continued confidence in the country’s refereeing standards at major international tournaments.

Jiyed will be supported by fellow Moroccan assistant referees Zakaria Brinsi and Mustapha Akarkad, forming a fully Moroccan officiating team for one of the early group-stage fixtures of the tournament.

The selection reflects FIFA’s recognition of Morocco’s growing reputation in elite refereeing circles, built on consistent performances across CAF competitions, international friendlies and FIFA-sanctioned tournaments in recent years. Moroccan officials have increasingly featured in high-profile matches, earning trust for their discipline, game management and ability to handle intense football environments.

The Germany vs Curaçao fixture, while still in the opening round of Group E matches, carries considerable attention given Germany’s status as one of the traditional powerhouses of world football. Curaçao, meanwhile, enter the match as underdogs but with growing ambition as part of the expanded 48-team World Cup format.

For Jiyed and his team, the assignment represents both responsibility and recognition. Officiating a match involving a top-tier European side like Germany places them under global scrutiny, where decision-making, composure and consistency will be closely analysed by FIFA refereeing officials and millions of viewers worldwide.

Moroccan referees have steadily built a strong international profile in recent years, with increasing representation at CAF Champions League finals, Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and FIFA youth competitions. This latest appointment further reinforces Morocco’s standing as one of Africa’s leading nations in match officiating development.

The inclusion of a full Moroccan officiating trio also highlights FIFA’s confidence in teamwork continuity, allowing referees who are accustomed to working together to manage the flow of the game with better coordination and understanding.

Preparations for the match are expected to intensify in the coming days as the officials undergo final briefing sessions, technical assessments and VAR coordination checks ahead of kickoff in Houston.

For Morocco’s refereeing community, the appointment serves as both a source of pride and a continuation of a growing legacy on football’s biggest stage. It also reflects the broader progress of African officiating at elite level, where officials are increasingly being entrusted with matches involving some of the world’s strongest national teams.

As Germany and Curacao prepare to face off in Group E, attention will also be firmly on the officials in charge—Jalal Jiyed and his team—who now carry the responsibility of ensuring a smooth and authoritative performance on one of football’s grandest platforms.