FULL LIST: Nigeria left out as FIFA unveils 170 match officials for World Cup

FIFA has announced the full list of 170 match officials for the FIFA World Cup 2026, comprising 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials from 50 member associations across six confederations. Notably, no Nigerian referee was selected for the tournament. FIFA stated that the selection followed a "quality first" principle, with candidates assessed over three years based on consistent performance in domestic, international, and FIFA competitions. FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina, highlighted that the selected officials are the best globally, chosen after a rigorous evaluation process. He added that all officials underwent continuous assessment, training seminars, and fitness monitoring. The 2026 World Cup will be the largest ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across three host nations. FIFA also confirmed the inclusion of six female match officials. The officials will attend a final preparation seminar in Miami starting May 31.