ZURICH: FIFA has appointed an all-Qatari refereeing team to officiate the Group K opening match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place on Wednesday at Houston Stadium.
The officiating team will be led by referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim, with Saud Ahmed and Taleb Salem Al Marri serving as assistant referees.
Group K features Portugal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.
Earlier, FIFA unveiled its list of match officials for the tournament, which included a strong Qatari representation, underscoring the international confidence in the quality and professionalism of Qatari referees. The Qatari delegation also includes Khamis Al Marri, who has been selected as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The appointment highlights the growing stature of Qatari referees on the global stage, following a series of successful performances in major continental and international competitions. Their continued presence at prestigious sporting events reflects the significant progress and expertise they have developed in recent years.
(QNA)
