Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Nigerian referee Kasimu Abiola Abdulsalam has been selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the only Nigerian centre referee appointed for the tournament.
FIFA announced on September 22 that 81 match officials from 36 member associations had been selected for the competition, comprising 27 referees and 54 assistant referees. Abdulsalam is one of four centre referees chosen from Africa, with eight other African officials appointed as assistants.
The tournament will be played in Qatar from November 19 to December 13, 2026, with 48 teams scheduled to compete in 104 matches.
Abdulsalam’s Historic Selection
The appointment marks an important milestone for Abdulsalam, who has been a FIFA-listed international referee since 2022.
Reports from Nigerian sports media indicate that the 34-year-old, who is from Zamfara State, will become only the second Nigerian centre referee to officiate at a FIFA U-17 World Cup, ending a 25-year wait for Nigeria in that category.
His selection comes after international experience at the continental youth level. Abdulsalam officiated at the 2023 and 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, gaining experience in matches involving some of Africa’s leading youth teams.
His latest FIFA appointment therefore places him among the officials selected to work at one of the world’s major youth football competitions.
FIFA Names 81 Officials for Qatar Tournament
FIFA said its Referees Committee selected 81 officials after assessing their performances and ability to operate effectively as part of international refereeing teams.
The 27 referees and 54 assistant referees represent 36 FIFA member associations across the six confederations.
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer and Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina said the selected officials were chosen not only for their performances but also for their ability to work within international teams and meet the demands of a major FIFA tournament.
FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca said the tournament would provide another opportunity to develop promising officials through exposure to demanding international competition.
The officials will receive support from FIFA refereeing instructors, medical and physiotherapy specialists, fitness coaches and experts in video technology and tournament organisation.
Nigeria Will Not Feature in the Tournament
Abdulsalam’s appointment comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s absence from the playing side of the competition.
The Golden Eaglets failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, after Nigeria did not progress beyond the West Africa Football Union qualifying stage.
As a result, Abdulsalam will be Nigeria’s representation among the selected match officials despite the country’s youth national team not being part of the 48-team tournament.
His appointment gives Nigeria a presence at the competition through the officiating team.
Experience Built Through African Competitions
Before receiving the FIFA appointment, Abdulsalam had already established experience in African youth football.
He officiated at the 2023 and 2026 editions of the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, including matches involving several national teams from across the continent.
His experience at continental competitions has provided exposure to different playing styles and high-pressure youth matches, forming part of the background to his selection for the global tournament.
Reports also indicate that Abdulsalam has received further international assignments, including a scheduled role in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture between Cameroon and Comoros.
A Return to the Global Stage for Nigerian Officials
Abdulsalam’s appointment continues Nigeria’s recent representation among officials at FIFA youth competitions.
Nigerian match official Mimisen Iyorhe Calvin-Onwuka served as an assistant referee at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, according to reports following Abdulsalam’s appointment.
Abdulsalam’s selection is different in that he has been appointed as a centre referee, placing him directly in charge of matches rather than serving as an assistant.
His appointment also reflects the pathway through which FIFA uses youth tournaments to provide international experience to referees considered capable of progressing to higher-level assignments.
Technology to Support Referees
The 2026 U-17 World Cup will again use Football Video Support (FVS), following its introduction at the 2025 edition.
Unlike the Video Assistant Referee system, FVS does not involve dedicated video match officials continuously checking incidents. Instead, coaches have a limited number of review requests during matches for certain decisions, including goals, penalties, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity.
The system means Abdulsalam and the other match officials will operate in an environment where video technology can be requested under the tournament’s specific review procedures.
A 48-Team U-17 World Cup
The Qatar tournament will be the second edition of the U-17 World Cup under FIFA’s expanded annual format.
The 2026 competition will feature 48 teams, with matches taking place at the Aspire Zone complex. The final is scheduled for December 13 at Khalifa International Stadium.
The expanded format means officials will be required to manage a larger tournament programme, with FIFA preparing a broad international refereeing group for the competition.
Why Abdulsalam’s Appointment Matters
For Nigerian football, the appointment provides international recognition for the country’s refereeing pathway at a time when its men’s U-17 team will not be competing in Qatar.
It also gives Abdulsalam an opportunity to gain experience at a global FIFA tournament, potentially adding to the international assignments available to him as his refereeing career develops.
However, FIFA’s announcement does not state that the appointment guarantees future senior World Cup selection or any particular progression in Abdulsalam’s career. Such decisions would depend on subsequent performances and future selection processes.
The significance of the appointment therefore lies primarily in his confirmed place among the officials selected for the 2026 U-17 World Cup.
What Happens Next?
Abdulsalam and the other selected officials will prepare for the tournament ahead of its November 19 opening.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup will run until December 13, when the final is scheduled at Khalifa International Stadium.
For Abdulsalam, the competition will represent his first appearance as a centre referee at a FIFA U-17 World Cup and another step in his international refereeing career.
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, meanwhile, will watch the tournament from outside the competition after failing to qualify, leaving Abdulsalam as the country’s sole centre-refereeing representative in Qatar.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- FIFA
- TheCable
- Lagos Television
- Complete Sports
- Daily Report Nigeria
