World Cup 2026: FIFA hands Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida Austria-Jordan opener

FIFA has appointed Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida to officiate the Group J encounter between Austria and Jordan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The fixture is scheduled to take place on June 16 at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, with both nations set to begin their World Cup campaigns in a match that could prove pivotal in the race for qualification from the group.

Beida’s appointment marks another notable achievement for African refereeing on the global stage, with the experienced Mauritanian official earning the responsibility of overseeing one of the tournament’s opening group-stage contests.

He will be assisted by Jerson Santos and Elvis Noupue, while Jamaican referee Oshane Nation has been appointed as the fourth official.

The officiating crew will be tasked with managing what is expected to be a competitive and closely fought encounter as both teams look to make a positive start to their World Cup journey.

Austria enter the tournament with ambitions of progressing beyond the group stage and will be keen to secure all three points in their opener. Jordan, meanwhile, will be eager to make an impact on football’s biggest stage and strengthen their chances of advancing from a challenging group that also includes Argentina and Algeria.

With valuable points at stake from the outset, the clash is expected to be fiercely contested, and FIFA has placed its trust in Beida and his team to ensure the match is conducted to the highest standards.

The appointment further highlights the growing recognition of African match officials at major international tournaments, with Beida set to take centre stage when Austria and Jordan kick off their World Cup campaigns in California.