Omar Abdulkadir Artan was set to become the first Somali referee at a FIFA World Cup. A FIFA-listed official since 2018, he made history as the first Somali to officiate an Africa Cup of Nations match and the 2024–25 CAF Champions League final. Named CAF’s Best Male Referee for 2025, Artan also refereed at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Despite holding a valid visa, US authorities denied him entry at Miami International Airport due to vetting concerns. FIFA subsequently removed him from the officials list, and he will not officiate at the 2026 tournament. No new referee, whether from CAF or another confederation, has been publicly announced as a direct replacement.

Following Artan’s omission, Africa will now have six referees at the World Cup. Along with 10 assistant referees and two video assistant referees, the continent will still be well represented at the tournament. Their selections highlight CAF’s growing refereeing standards amid the expanded demands of the event.

Below are the profiles of those entrusted with officiating matches at the tournament.

Pierre Atcho (Gabon)

Atcho is a highly experienced CAF referee known for strong disciplinary control and composure in high-pressure African club and international matches. He has taken charge of several CAF Champions League matches and continental qualifiers, earning selection for his consistent performances.

He will go into the history books as the first-ever match official from Gabon to take charge of a FIFA World Cup match.

Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

Beida is a rising star from Mauritania, recognized for his precise decision-making and fitness. He has officiated key CAF competitions and international fixtures, during which he has demonstrated reliability in fast-paced encounters.

Like his Gabonese counterpart, Beida is poised to become the first referee from his country to officiate a FIFA World Cup match.

Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)

Ghorbal is one of Africa’s most seasoned officials and, as such, is regarded as a cornerstone of Algerian and CAF refereeing. He brings extensive experience from AFCON tournaments, CAF inter-club finals, and World Cup qualifiers. He is known for clear communication and VAR collaboration.

Jalal Jayed (Morocco)

A technically proficient referee, Jayed is praised for his positional awareness and game management. He has officiated prominent Moroccan league matches and African competitions, contributing to Morocco’s strong refereeing reputation.

Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)

A veteran Egyptian official, he has a reputation for fairness and experience in major tournaments, including AFCON. His calm demeanor and tactical understanding have made him a regular in high-stakes CAF matches.

Abongile Tom (South Africa)

South Africa’s top representative, Tom is noted for his athleticism and decisive officiating. He has progressed through domestic leagues to continental duties, including qualifiers and club competitions, representing a strong Southern African presence.

CAF attributes the inclusion of African football referees to ongoing efforts and sustained investment in the development and training of match officials across the continent.

The body points to structured programmes and consistent exposure to top-level CAF inter-club and national competitions as a pathway to strong refereeing standards and the continued production of world-class officials.