FIFA selects Saudi refereeing team for the 2026 World Cup: A historic achievement
In a move reflecting the great development that Saudi sports are witnessing at all levels, Saudi refereeing has recorded a new historic achievement after the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced the selection of a full Saudi refereeing team in the preliminary list of referees nominated to manage the matches of the 2026 World Cup. This selection comes as a culmination of the distinguished levels presented by the Saudi referee in continental and international forums recently.
Selection details and preparatory camp
The initial list included international referee Khalid Al-Turais , who actively participated in the FIFA referees' course for the World Cup, held between February 23 and 27. The selection wasn't limited to the main referee; it included a full team of four referees, representing the largest representation of Saudi referees in the history of the World Cup finals.
The selected list included:
- Khaled Al-Turais: Referee.
- Mohammed Al-Abkari: Assistant referee.
- Abdulrahim Al-Shammari: Assistant referee.
- Abdullah Al-Shehri: The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) rule.
International experiences and previous milestones
This nomination was not arbitrary, but rather based on a proven track record of successful participation by the Saudi refereeing team in numerous major tournaments. These referees have previously officiated sensitive and important matches in the AFC Champions League, the AFC Asian Cup, and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Their experience also includes participation in youth tournaments such as the FIFA U-17 World Cup and preparations for the 2025 Arab Cup, which has earned them the trust of the FIFA Referees Committee.
The importance of the event and the context of the 2026 World Cup
This selection takes on added importance given the nature of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, and which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This expansion in the number of matches and teams necessitates that FIFA select the world's elite referees, capable of handling the high-pressure environment and utilizing modern refereeing technologies.
The presence of a fully Saudi Arabian refereeing team (referee, assistant referees, and VAR) is a strong indicator of the efficiency of the refereeing system in Saudi Arabia and enhances the presence of Arab and Asian referees at the world's biggest football event. This achievement also aligns with the comprehensive sports development underway in the Kingdom as part of the goals of Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on developing national talent and empowering them to reach international levels.
