Abdullah Al-Shehri prepares for the 2026 World Cup with a VAR training course and a historic Saudi representation
Saudi international referee Abdullah Al-Shehri has officially begun his participation in the specialized Video Assistant Referee (VAR) course organized by FIFA. This important course, held from February 2nd to 5th, is specifically designed for VAR referees shortlisted for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Al-Shehri's participation comes as part of a historic step for Saudi refereeing, as FIFA had previously announced its preliminary list of referees nominated for the upcoming World Cup. This list witnessed an unprecedented achievement with the inclusion of a complete Saudi refereeing team of four referees, representing the largest representation of Saudi referees in the history of the World Cup finals, and reflecting the growing international confidence in Saudi refereeing capabilities.
The nominated Saudi refereeing team includes a select group of referees who have proven their competence in continental and international competitions. They are: Khalid Al-Turais as the main referee, Mohammed Al-Abkari and Abdulrahim Al-Shammari as assistant referees, and Abdullah Al-Shehri as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). This team boasts a wealth of experience, having previously officiated high-profile matches in the AFC Champions League, the AFC Asian Cup finals, and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, in addition to their participation in international youth tournaments such as the FIFA U-20 and U-17 World Cups and the Arab Cup.
This course is of particular importance given the radical changes that will take place in the 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams instead of 32, thus increasing the number of matches and the responsibility placed on referees. Through these intensive courses, FIFA aims to standardize the criteria for awarding penalties and implementing video technology with the highest levels of accuracy and speed, ensuring fair competition in the world's biggest football event.
This nomination reflects the significant development witnessed in Saudi sports in general, and the refereeing sector in particular, in line with the Kingdom's massive sporting movement. The increased competitiveness of the Saudi Professional League and the attraction of international stars have contributed to honing the skills of Saudi referees and preparing them to handle high-pressure situations, making them a preferred choice for the Asian and International Federations to officiate crucial matches.
