FIFA has omitted Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from the official roster of match officials for the 2026 World Cup, following a selection process that prioritised "quality and consistency" over the past three years. The global governing body on Thursday unveiled a record list of 170 officials for the expanded 48-team tournament, but Ndala, once considered a leading candidate for Africa, was a notable absentee from the 52-strong group of on-field referees.
The decision comes in the wake of the volatile 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco, which Ndala officiated. That match was defined by chaotic scenes when Senegal players staged a temporary walk-off to protest a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. While the Confederation of African Football (CAF) formally cleared Ndala of any technical wrongdoing in January, stating he "acted in accordance with the Laws of the Game," the fallout appears to have influenced FIFA's final selection.
FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina, emphasised that the chosen officials represent the "very best in the world" after being monitored through rigorous seminars and international assessments. Speaking on the selection criteria, Collina stated that the group, dubbed "FIFA Team One," must arrive in "optimal physical and mental condition" to handle the pressures of the largest World Cup in history.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 104 matches, requiring the largest officiating contingent ever assembled. While Africa will be represented by several high-profile referees, Ndala’s exclusion marks a significant shift for the official who was once the continent’s most trusted hand for major finals.