Egypt FA hands FIFA badges to referees in landmark ceremony

The Egyptian Football Association, led by Hani Abu Rida, staged an official ceremony to present FIFA international badges to the nation’s top referees—marking a significant milestone for Egyptian officiating.

The event, held on Wednesday, formally honored referees approved by FIFA for international duty, with the spotlight firmly on four officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The distinguished quartet includes Amin Omar as a central referee, alongside assistants Mahmoud Aboul-Regal and Ahmed Hossam Taha, while Mahmoud Ashour will serve as a video assistant referee.

The badge presentation ceremony, initially scheduled two weeks earlier following their arrival from FIFA, symbolized official confirmation of international status for a broad group of referees across multiple categories. In total, 35 Egyptian referees—men and women—received FIFA accreditation, reflecting the country’s growing influence in global officiating.

The list of field referees features several prominent names, including Amin Omar, Mahmoud Naji, Mohamed Maarouf, Mahmoud Bassiouni, Hamada Al-Qalawi, Mohamed Al-Ghazi, and Mahmoud Wafa. On the women’s side, Shahinda Al-Maghrabi, Noura Samir, and Rahma Youssef were recognized for their continued rise in the game.

Assistant referees were also well represented, with Mahmoud Aboul-Regal and Ahmed Hossam Taha leading a group that includes Samir Gamal, Ahmed Tawfik Talab, Youssef El-Basaty, Mohamed Magdy Suleiman, and Islam Aboul-Ata. Female assistants Yara Atef, Mai Hassan, Amal Hassan, and Gamalat Shebl further highlighted the expanding role of women in Egyptian refereeing.

In the VAR category, Mahmoud Ashour was joined by Hossam Azab, Amr El Shenawy, Abdel Aziz El Sayed, Tarek Magdy, and Mohamed Ali El Shenawy—underscoring Egypt’s readiness to contribute to the modern, technology-driven era of football.

The ceremony also acknowledged referees in futsal and beach soccer, with four officials selected in each discipline, emphasizing the breadth of talent across all formats of the sport.

Beyond the ceremonial significance, the occasion marks a historic step forward—particularly with four Egyptian referees set to feature at the 2026 World Cup, the highest number in a single edition since the tournament began in 1930.

As badges were handed over and achievements celebrated, the message was clear: Egyptian refereeing is not only evolving but firmly establishing itself among the elite on the global stage.