DOHA : A seminar organised by FIFA for elite referees nominated to officiate at the 2026 World Cup began on Sunday and will run until Feb. 27.
The workshop brings together 21 referees from three continents, including 10 from Asia — among them Qatari officials Abdulrahman Al-Jassim and Salman Fallahi — as well as 10 referees from Africa and one from Oceania.
Hani Balan, Vice President of FIFA’s Referees Committee, said the event is the second in a series of preparatory seminars for match officials selected for the 2026 finals. The first was staged in Rio de Janeiro for South American referees, while a final seminar for European referees will be held in Dubai next month with 16 participants.
Balan described the seminar as a key phase in the evaluation process, featuring physical fitness tests, medical examinations and discussion panels aimed at reinforcing modern football concepts.
“Reaching the level of refereeing at the World Cup is a major incentive for officials and requires continuous effort and development,” he said, noting that selection is based on strict criteria and comprehensive performance monitoring across competitions.
Massimo Busacca, Director of the Refereeing Department at FIFA, reiterated the governing body’s commitment to preparing referees to meet the demands of the 2026 tournament.
The programme includes technical, physical and medical assessments, as well as intensive training sessions reviewing and analysing match footage. Practical exercises are recorded and evaluated by international instructors to provide detailed technical feedback, ensuring officials reach optimal readiness ahead of the World Cup.
