Three UAE match officials appointed for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Referee Omar Mohamed Al Ali, assistant referee Mohamed Al Hammadi and video match official Mohammed Obaid Khadim will represent the UAE at the World Cup this summer.

The trio will feature at the World Cup scheduled to kick-off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico as part of FIFA's 170-strong officiating team including 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees (VAR) from all six continental confederations.

The officials represent 54 member national associations and will have the opportunity to take charge of matches at the world’s biggest football tournament.

الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم يختار الحكم الدولي عُمر آل علي والحكم الدولي المساعد محمد أحمد يوسف وحكم الفيديو محمد عبيد خادم للمشاركة في إدارة مباريات نهائيات كأس العالم 2026 ..

ألف مبروووك 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/DfNISqg7k6

— UAEFA (@uaefa_ae) April 9, 2026

The selections were made in line with FIFA’s long-standing “quality first” principle, with officials assessed on the consistency of their performances at FIFA tournaments, as well as in recent international and domestic competitions.

Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer and chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, said: "The selected match officials are the very best in the world. They were part of a wider pool of officials that was identified and monitored over the past three years.

"They have attended seminars and officiated at FIFA tournaments. In addition, their performances in domestic and international matches were regularly assessed.

"The selected officials have received, and will continue to receive, comprehensive support from our fitness coaches and medical staff, including physiotherapists and a mental specialist."

Ali Bujsaim was the first UAE match official to appear at a FIFA World Cup, officiating at the 1994 tournament in the United States. He also went on to referee at the 1998 World Cup and later at the 2002 World Cup.