Five African referees will represent the continent at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, with Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo leading the way. Notably, no Moroccan officials have been selected for this high-profile tournament.
Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, a prominent figure in African refereeing, headlines the contingent. Ghorbal will be supported by fellow countrymen Mokrane Gourari and Abbes Akram Zerhouni, both serving as assistant referees.
His inclusion comes after an impressive run in recent months, including overseeing the 2024 CAF Champions League final between ES Tunis and Al Ahly.
From the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Jacques Ndala has also earned a place. Ndala, who officiated the same Champions League final alongside Ghorbal, brings a wealth of experience and is a familiar face in African football circles.
This will mark his debut at a FIFA tournament — a significant milestone in his officiating career.
Senegal’s Issa Sy continues his steady rise through the international ranks. Having officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations, the U20 World Cup, and various interclub competitions, Sy’s presence at the Club World Cup further cements his growing reputation on the global stage.
Also making the list is Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, who refereed the final of the most recent AFCON.
Libya’s Mutaz Ibrahimi rounds out the African quintet selected to take part in the tournament, underlining the continent’s expanding influence in elite-level refereeing.
While several African nations are represented, Morocco finds itself absent from the refereeing roster.
However, the country can take solace in the participation of its top club side,
Wydad Casablanca, which will compete alongside Espérance Tunis, Al Ahly, and Mamelodi Sundowns as Africa’s four representatives in the tournament.
Scheduled to take place from 14 June to 13 July 2025, the Club World Cup will not only bring together top clubs from around the globe but also serve as a testing ground for refereeing innovations.
Two major rule changes will be trialed during the competition. Referees will wear body cameras, offering a new layer of transparency in decision-making.
Additionally, a stricter approach to goalkeeper time-wasting will be implemented. Goalkeepers holding the ball for more than eight seconds will concede a corner kick — a move designed to quicken the pace of the game.
For Africa’s chosen referees, this tournament offers a chance to shine on the biggest stage, validate their progress, and perhaps open the door to further appointments at major international events.
It is also a moment of recognition for the strides made in officiating across the continent — even as one of its traditional powerhouses, Morocco, watches from the sidelines.
As preparations intensify for this expanded edition of the Club World Cup, all eyes will be on the performance of the referees as much as the clubs.
For Ghorbal, Ndala, Sy, Beida, and Ibrahimi, the opportunity to be part of football history has finally arrived.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨Exclusive :
list of the 35 appointed referees for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in:
1.Ramon Abatti – Brazil
2.Omar Al Ali – United Arab Emirates
3.Ivan Barton – El Salvador
4.Djahane Beida – Mauritania
5.Juan Gabriel Benitez – Paraguay
6.Espen Eskas – Norway
7.Alireza…— عيسى سعيد (@issasaid232) April 14, 2025
