The refereeing lineup for the 26th edition of the Arab Gulf Cup has been unveiled, showcasing a diverse selection of officials from Africa, Europe, and participating Gulf nations.
Two African and two European refereeing teams will join the event, held as part of ongoing collaboration agreements between global football governing bodies.
Africa will be represented by Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal and Mauritanian official Beida Dahane.
Ghorbal, a FIFA referee since 2014, is renowned for his role in the 2020 CAF Champions League final between Al Ahly and Zamalek.
He also officiated during the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup, where he was the only African referee selected. Dahane, considered one of the continent’s finest referees, has an equally distinguished record.
In 2024, he oversaw the Africa Cup of Nations final between Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria and officiated the Olympic football final in Paris between France and Spain.
Europe will be represented by Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler and Romanian official István Kovács.
Both have established themselves on the international stage, further enhancing the officiating standards for the competition.
The tournament, scheduled to take place from December 21, 2024, to January 3, 2025, will also feature referees from seven of the eight participating Gulf nations.
These include Ahmed Khaled Al-Ali (Kuwait), Muhanned Kacem Issa (Iraq), Abdulrahmen Ibrahim Al-Jassem (Qatar), Omar Mohamed Al-Ali (UAE), Ammar Ibrahim Mahfoudh (Bahrain), Khaled Al-Taris (Saudi Arabia), and Kacem Al-Hatemi (Oman).
Notably, Yemen is the only participating country without representation in the officiating panel.
The mix of African, European, and Gulf referees reflects the tournament’s growing stature and commitment to high officiating standards.
With the stage set, the Arab Gulf Cup promises to deliver thrilling football action under the guidance of world-class officials.
