FIFA has announced the complete list of match officials for the 2026 World Cup, with no Nigerian referee included among those selected for the global tournament.
A total of 170 officials were named for the competition, comprising 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials drawn from 50 member associations across the six continental confederations.
In a statement published on Friday, FIFA explained that the selection process was guided by a strict “quality first” approach, with candidates evaluated over a three-year period based on their performances in domestic leagues, international fixtures, and FIFA-organised competitions.
FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina, said the final list reflects the highest standard of officiating globally after an extensive screening process.
“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,” Collina said.
He added that the referees underwent continuous assessments, training programmes, and fitness checks, with guidance from FIFA’s technical and medical teams to ensure they are fully prepared for the tournament.
The 2026 edition of the World Cup is set to be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across three host countries.
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FIFA also noted that six female officials made the list, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote greater inclusion at the highest level of refereeing.
As part of final preparations, the selected officials will participate in a seminar in Miami starting May 31, before taking up their roles at the tournament. Video match officials are expected to move to Dallas, which will host the International Broadcast Centre.
Despite FIFA’s emphasis on broad global representation, Nigeria did not make the final cut of appointed officials, marking a significant absence for the country ahead of the competition.