FIFA Referee Course for 2026 World Cup Officiants Concludes with Participation of Qatar Referees

Qatar Referees

The FIFA Referee Course for officials selected to referee the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup wrapped up in Dubai, UAE.

The five-day course featured participation from Qatar international referees Abdulrahman Al Jassim and Salman Falahi.

A total of 32 referees from Asia, Africa, and Oceania took part, joined by prominent figures from the refereeing community, experts, and a team of FIFA instructors covering the technical, medical, fitness, and technological aspects of officiating.

The course included theoretical sessions on the laws of the game, discussions on refereeing scenarios, and match management, along with practical training and fitness tests.

In the mornings, the referees officiated two matches daily on UAE Football Association's fields, gaining hands-on experience in real match conditions.

Chairman of the Qatar Football Association's (QFA) Referees Committee and Vice Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Hani Taleb Ballan, emphasized that FIFA is committed to providing referees with development opportunities through such courses, which help elevate their overall level and ensure they're fully prepared for major tournaments.

He expressed optimism that these courses would help ensure top-level refereeing at future global tournaments, adding that he was pleased with the course outcomes and referees' performances.

(QNA)