Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala will not be part of the officiating team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being omitted from the final list of selected match officials.
Ndala, who officiated the highly controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco, misses out on the global tournament despite previously being considered among Africa’s top referees.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, featuring an expanded format of 48 participating nations.
Brazil leads the list of appointed officials, contributing the highest number of referees, assistant referees, and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) personnel for the tournament.
AFCON controversy and its aftermath
Ndala’s exclusion comes in the wake of the dramatic and widely debated AFCON 2025 final, which was marred by contentious officiating decisions and on-field protests.
During the match, Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest following a disputed penalty decision, causing a significant delay before play resumed.
Although Senegal initially won the match, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later ruled that the team had forfeited the game by leaving the field, awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory after an appeal.
The decision sparked widespread debate across the football world, with questions raised about officiating, match management, and the application of tournament regulations.
While CAF subsequently cleared Ndala of any wrongdoing in his handling of the match, the controversy surrounding the final continued to cast a shadow over the competition.
World Cup officiating lineup
The list of referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup features officials from across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, reflecting FIFA’s global representation in match officiating.
Several experienced referees from top footballing nations have been included, alongside a mix of emerging officials expected to officiate at the highest level of international football.
Ndala’s absence marks a notable omission, particularly given his experience on the continental stage, but it underscores the intense scrutiny and competitive selection process associated with World Cup officiating appointments.
The tournament is expected to showcase the highest standards of refereeing as the world’s best teams compete for football’s most prestigious prize.
