An Egyptian refereeing team will officiate at the 2026 World Cup: a historic achievement for Egyptian referees
An unprecedented achievement for Egyptian referees on the world stage
In a historic move that crowns the efforts of Egyptian referees on the international stage, a quartet of Egyptian referees departed Cairo to officiate matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This selection marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time Egyptian refereeing team to participate in the world's biggest football event. The team consists of international referee Amin Omar as the main referee, assisted by Mahmoud Abou El-Regal and Ahmed Hossam Taha, while Mahmoud Ashour will serve as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), together writing a new chapter of excellence for Egyptian sports.
This participation comes in the largest edition of the World Cup ever, which will see 48 teams compete in 104 matches across 16 host cities, placing a significant responsibility on the referees to officiate the matches with the highest levels of efficiency and integrity. Prior to the tournament's kickoff on June 11, the Egyptian refereeing team will participate in a special preparatory camp for referees in Miami, USA, until June 9, under the direct supervision of FIFA, with the aim of standardizing refereeing concepts and achieving peak physical and mental readiness.
The development of the Egyptian presence in the World Cup
Egyptian referees have not been absent from previous World Cup tournaments, but their presence has often been limited to individual participation by referees or assistant referees. This achievement brings to mind illustrious names who have honored Egyptian refereeing in the past, such as the legendary Ali Kandil, who was the first Egyptian and Arab referee to participate in the World Cup, and Gamal El-Ghandour, who officiated important matches in the 1998 and 2002 editions. However, the selection of a full team this time reflects a qualitative leap and great confidence from FIFA in the Egyptian refereeing system as a whole, and its ability to provide a cohesive unit of referees capable of working together efficiently, especially with the complexities of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, which requires complete harmony between the referees on the field and the video room.
What does the selection of an all-Egyptian refereeing team for the World Cup mean?
This selection is not merely an individual honor for the four referees, but an international testament to the quality and development of refereeing in Egypt and Africa. Domestically, this achievement is a tremendous morale boost for the Egyptian Football Association and its Referees Committee, and serves as an inspiration to the next generation of young referees. Continentally, it strengthens the position of African refereeing and demonstrates its ability to compete and deliver top-tier performances in major tournaments. The presence of a full Egyptian officiating crew at the 2026 World Cup is a clear acknowledgment of the confidence placed in Egyptian referees, a result of their outstanding performance in major continental tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the CAF Champions League, thus opening the door to further opportunities for Egyptian and Arab referees.
