Saudi refereeing is taking a historic step towards global recognition, with international referee Khalid Al-Turais participating in the FIFA referees' course for referees nominated to participate in the 2026 World Cup finals. This important course is being held from February 23 to 27, and is a key step in the rigorous preparation and selection process followed by FIFA to ensure the presence of the best refereeing talents at the world's biggest football event.
General context and historical background
This participation comes as part of a preliminary list previously announced by FIFA, which included the selection of a full Saudi refereeing team of four referees – the largest representation of Saudi referees in the history of the World Cup nominees. This selection reflects the significant development of the refereeing sector in the Kingdom and the efforts of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to develop its personnel according to the highest international standards. Historically, World Cup stadiums have witnessed the honorable presence of Saudi referees, such as Khalil Jalal Al-Ghamdi, who participated in the 2006 and 2010 editions. The presence of a full team today represents a continuation of this legacy and a qualitative leap forward.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
Domestically, the nomination of this refereeing team is a source of pride for Saudi football and enhances the reputation of the Saudi Professional League as one of the world's most attractive leagues, as having referees of this caliber elevates the level of competition. It also inspires a new generation of young referees to follow in their footsteps. Regionally, this nomination strengthens the position of Asian refereeing on the international stage and underscores the quality of the development programs led by the Asian Football Confederation. Internationally, the selection of referees from different continents ensures diversity and impartiality in managing matches, especially given the historic expansion of the 2026 edition, which will feature 48 teams for the first time.
The nominated Saudi crew and the challenges of the future
The Saudi refereeing team consists of: Khalid Al-Turais (referee), Mohammed Al-Abkari (assistant referee), Abdulrahim Al-Shammari (assistant referee), and Abdullah Al-Shehri (VAR referee). This team possesses extensive experience from officiating numerous important matches in continental and international tournaments, such as the AFC Champions League, the AFC Asian Cup, and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This current course is merely one stage in a long and arduous journey, as the referees will undergo continuous evaluation of their physical and technical performance and their ability to make correct decisions under pressure, especially with the heavy reliance on VAR technology. Success in these stages will open the door for them to be part of the most important football event of all and to realize the dream of representing Saudi Arabia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
