2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup – Match Officials Appointed.
The FIFA Referees Committee has officially selected the match officials for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026. A total of 27 refereeing trios presenting all six confederations will take charge of the matches.
Here is the complete list of selected trios divided by confederation.
Qatar, 19 November - 16 December 2026
AFC (5)
Muhammad Sami Al-Ismail (KSA) – Sa'ad Saud Al-Suba'i (KSA), Omar Ali Al-Jamal (KSA)
Abdulhadi Al-Asmar Ar-Ruwaili (QAT) – Yusif Arif Ash-Shammari (QAT), Zahi Sunaid Ash-Shammari (QAT)
Ahmad Issa Darwish (UAE) – Yasir Sabil Al-Murshidi (UAE), Amir Abdullah Al-Ali (UAE)
Du Jianxin (CHN) – Luo Zheng (CHN), Liu Zongqi (CHN)
Asker Najafaliyev (UZB) – Baxtiyorxo'ja Shavkatov (UZB), Avazbek Abdullayev (UZB)
CAF (4)
Kasimu Abiola Abdulsalam (NGA) – Eba Médard Wenceslas Ettien (CIV), Emmanuel Habumugisha (RWA)
Mohamed El Baroudi (MAR) – Abdessamad Abertoune (MAR), Yacine Ouerd Benslama (ALG)
Willy Stéphane Ngah (CMR) – Guylain Ngila Bongele (COD), Nkemazem Vincent Ngimdoh (CMR)
Elhadji Amadou Sy (SEN) – Vital Dictin Mel Glovel Mapangoulou (CGO), Dofinte Adolphe Lamien (BFA)
CONCACAF (4)
Ismael Rosario López Peñuelas (MEX) – Jonathan Maximiliano Gómez Olmos (MEX), Leonardo Javier Castillo Rodríguez (MEX)
Fernando Javier Morón Valdelamar (PAN) – Andrés Ausberto Vargas de Gracia (PAN), Alejandro Ameth Camarena Ayala (PAN)
Josué David Ugalde Aguilar (CRC) – Félix Quesada Ávalos (CRC), Danny Mauricio Sojo Montenegro (CRC)
Michael Venne (CAN) – Twayne Anderson (CAN), Jose da Silva (USA)
CONMEBOL (6)
Derlis Omar Benitez Galeano (PAR) – José María Villagra Pereira (PAR), Luis Francisco Onieva Yegros (PAR)
Oswaldo Joel Contreras Macías (ECU) – Juan Rafael Aguiar Ramos (ECU), Mauricio Sebastián Lozada Núñez (ECU)
Mathias Daniel De Armas Padilla (URU) – Pablo Andrés Llarena Peleteiro (URU), Matías Wilmar Muñiz Castro (URU)
Jairo Alejandro Mayorga Londoño (COL) – Cristian Jamil Aguirre Olaya (COL), David Alejandro Fuentes Mendoza (COL)
Daiane Caroline Muniz dos Santos (BRA) – Leila Naiara Moreira da Cruz (BRA), Maíra Mastella Moreira (BRA)
Sebastián Alejandro Zunino (ARG) – Pablo Acevedo (ARG), Juan José Mamani (ARG)
OFC (1)
Calvin Berg (NZL) – Malaetala Salanoa (SAM), Jeremy Garae (VAN)
UEFA (7)
Willy Delajod (FRA) – Erwan Finjean (FRA), Alexis Auger (FRA)
Radoslav Gidzhenov (BUL) – Petar Mitrev (BUL), Todor Vukov (BUL)
Patrik Kolarić (CRO) – Luka Pajić (CRO), Ivan Starčević (CRO)
Elçin Məsiyev (AZE) – Elşad Abdullayev (AZE), Pərvin Talıbov (AZE)
Miloš Milanović (SRB) – Milan Pašajlić (SRB), Nikola Đorović (SRB)
Olatz Rivera Olmedo (ESP) – Eliana Fernández González (ESP), Iragartze Fernández Esesúmaga (ESP)
Damian Sylwestrzak (POL) – Adam Karasewicz (POL), Bartosz Heinig (POL)
Very first step with a look at WC 2030.
ReplyDeleteSome names are in focus by UEFA, as already commented in the other discusson. The only debate that could arise on the basis of nationality, assuming all those selected are plausible contenders to reach the World Cup, concerns the Serbian candidate, where UEFA now has Minakovic ahead of Milanovic, though the latter is still being monitored.
Otherwise, as mentioned, these are all names that could potentially be in the run, given the long period of 4 years.
Among them, it seems clear to me that UEFA has visibly started focusing on the French candidate, making this a logical choice, while the Azeri ambitions remain to be seen.
The two women are clearly ready for the 2027 Women's World Cup, which they will take part in.
As for the other confederations, I really can say nothing, but the logic behind the choices very likely is similar.
I think you/we assume a lot by saying this is a very first step for 2030.
DeleteFor UEFA alone, not a single one of those names seems a serious candidate for EURO 2028, correct? Yes, I know, UEFA and FIFA have different rankings and favorites. But when is the last time someone came out of absolutely nowhere to ascend within FIFA under three years time without already having a UEFA foothold? Delajod is the only one with a CL game, which just happened, correct? And Letexier is firmly in front of him and Turpin *might* not retire.
Regardless, UEFA is the area we or you know most about. Take the others. For CONCACAF, not a single one of those names is on the radar. All have referees in front of them *in their own countries* (e.g., Dujic is definitely ahead of Venne in Canada). I can very confidently say no names from that CONCACAF list will go to 2030 as a main referee. At first glance, from my limited knowledge the same seems true for CONMEBOL.
We are on a one-year youth cycle now--not even a two-year one. But even in the two-year one, go look at U17 2023. A few names stand out then, like Eskas, Tejera, and Pinheiro; but those names and other were already getting very top club level and international level continental matches. The same can't be said here for almost any of the officials.
This looks like a very first step for 2034 for most of these guys. Or a chance at fourth official status in 2030. On the very, very outside, there might be a couple names that have 2030 capabilities (e.g., Delajod if Tuprin retires--but even that feels like a stretch).
Quite weird that the 2 female refs aren't getting pushed via the u20 women's world cup but u17 men's one
ReplyDeleteThere is VAR or FVS in this competition ?
ReplyDeleteFVS, last like year.
DeleteOk thanks
Delete