The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has appointed nine Arab referees out of 52 main referees to officiate matches at the 2026 World Cup. This is a record number of Arab referees who will manage World Cup games. FIFA has highly praised the professionalism and preparation of Arab refereeing teams. Previously, Arab referees also worked at major international tournaments, but for the first time, they will be represented in such numbers at the World Cup. This decision underscores the growing authority of Arab football on the world stage.
