Egyptian referee Amin Omar appointed for Al Ahli v Auckland City in FIFA Intercontinental Cup

FIFA has appointed an Egyptian refereeing team, led by Amin Omar, to oversee the FIFA Intercontinental Cup first-round meeting between Al Ahli Saudi FC and Auckland City.

Auckland City will travel to face Al Ahli on Wednesday, with the match taking place at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah.

The Egyptian officials have arrived in Saudi Arabia and are ready to take charge of the fixture, which brings together the champions of Asia and Oceania.

Omar will be assisted by fellow Egyptians Mahmoud Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Taha. Mahmoud Nagy has been designated as the fourth official.

The video assistant referee will be Mahmoud Ashour, with Tarek Magdy appointed as the assistant VAR.

Al Ahli qualified for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup after winning the AFC Champions League Elite. Auckland City earned their place in the competition by claiming the OFC Champions League title.

The winner of Wednesday’s match will progress to face South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, the champions of the CAF Champions League, in the next round.

The appointment gives Omar and his team responsibility for a match involving two continental champions, with Al Ahli representing Asia and Auckland City representing Oceania.

The fixture is the opening stage of the competition for both sides. Auckland City will be the visiting team when the New Zealand club meets Al Ahli in Jeddah, while the Saudi Arabian side will begin its campaign in front of its home support.

FIFA’s selection of an Egyptian team means all of the on-field officials, as well as the VAR and assistant VAR, will come from the same country. Omar will lead the group from the centre, supported by Abouelregal and Taha on the touchlines.

Nagy’s role will be to serve as the fourth official, while Ashour and Magdy will oversee the video review operation.

The match also provides a route into the next phase of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup for the winner. That side will then meet Mamelodi Sundowns, who enter the tournament as African champions.

Al Ahli’s participation follows their success in the AFC Champions League Elite, while Auckland City arrive after their triumph in the OFC Champions League. Both clubs therefore come into the first-round tie as champions of their respective confederations.

With the Egyptian officials already in Saudi Arabia, the refereeing team is prepared for Wednesday’s encounter at Alinma Stadium.