Kenya Misses Out Again as FIFA Names 2026 World Cup Match Officials

Kenya has missed out on the list of 19 African match officials selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA unveiled the list on Thursday, April 9, 2026, as part of a broader announcement naming 52 match officials who will take charge of matches at the global tournament.

The African contingent comprises seven referees, 10 assistant referees, and two Video Assistant Referees (VARs), bringing the total to 19 officials from the continent.

Kenya’s absence marks a continuation of its wait to have a representative officiate at the World Cup, despite coming close in the past.

In 2018, Kenyan referee Aden Range Marwa was selected as an assistant referee for the tournament. He was the only Kenyan on the list and was set to make history as the country’s first World Cup match official.

However, just days before the tournament kicked off, Marwa was dropped following a corruption scandal. An undercover investigation captured him allegedly accepting a bribe, prompting his removal from the list. He later resigned from his duties and was subsequently banned for life by FIFA. As a result, no Kenyan official participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

African Referees Selected for the 2026 World Cup

The seven African referees selected for the 2026 tournament are:

Also Read: 8 Big Players Who Missed Out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Jalal Jayed (Morocco), Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia), Pierre Atcho (Gabon), Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria), Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt), Abongile Tom (South Africa), and Dahane Beida (Mauritania).

Assistant Referees

The assistant referees are: Mostafa Akarkad (Morocco), Mahmoud Abou El Regal (Egypt), Amos Abeigne (Gabon), Boris Ditsoga (Gabon), Mokrane Gourari (Algeria), Ahmed Hossam Taha (Egypt), Elvis Noupue Nguegoue (Cameroon), Zakhele Siwela (South Africa), Abbes Akram Zerhouni (Algeria), and Jerson Emiliano dos Santos (Mozambique).

VAR Officials

In the Video Assistant Referee category, Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt) and Hamza El Fariq (Morocco) will represent Africa.

About the World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament will be co-hosted by three nations.

Also Read: List of 10 African Countries that Have Qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Set to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the tournament will feature a historic expansion to 48 teams, up from the traditional 32. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities.

Africa will have nine slots at the tournament, an increase from previous editions, as the continent seeks a stronger presence both on and off the pitch.

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