FIFA has confirmed the officiating teams for Algeria’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures against Botswana and Guinea, set to take place in September.
The Desert Foxes will first host Botswana on 4 September at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou.
Burundian referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana has been appointed to take charge of the match.
He will be supported by assistants Emery Niyongabo and Rénovat Bizumuremyi, with Georges Gatogato serving as the fourth official. All four officials are from Burundi.
Just four days later, Algeria will travel to Casablanca to face Guinea at the Mohamed V Complex on 8 September.
For this encounter, FIFA has designated an all-Rwandan officiating team.
Samuel Wikunda will act as central referee, assisted by Dieudonné Mutuyimana and Didier Ishimwe on the touchlines.
Abdoul Karim Twagirimukiza has been named as the fourth official.
The appointments come as Algeria aim to strengthen their position in the World Cup qualification campaign.
Both fixtures are expected to be decisive, with the national team determined to secure maximum points in their bid to reach the 2026 finals.
Algeria’s clash with Botswana in Tizi-Ouzou will mark an important occasion at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium, which has recently become a regular venue for international fixtures.
Facing a Botswana side eager to upset the odds, the role of referee neutrality will be under close watch.
Ndabihawenimana, who has overseen several high-profile continental matches, will carry the responsibility of maintaining order in what could be a tense contest.
The subsequent meeting with Guinea is also anticipated to be fiercely competitive.
With both nations in pursuit of qualification, the choice of experienced Rwandan officials reflects FIFA’s intent to ensure fairness and authority on the pitch.
Wikunda, a familiar figure in African football circles, will lead a team that has handled major international fixtures across the continent.
The announcement of referees is often closely followed by coaches, players and fans alike, as officiating standards can play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of tightly balanced matches.
For Algeria, whose supporters remain optimistic about qualification, attention now turns to the players’ preparation and execution on the field.
With fixtures against Botswana and Guinea only days apart, the Desert Foxes face a demanding schedule.
Discipline, precision, and consistency will be critical—not just from the team itself, but also from those tasked with managing the games.
FIFA’s appointments underline the importance of ensuring impartial oversight as the qualification race intensifies.
