FIFA Bans World Cup-Nominated Referees from Officiating Friendlies Before Tournament

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced on Thursday that it had received a letter from FIFA, detailing a decision by the Referees Committee to prohibit all referees nominated to officiate matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup from managing any friendly matches involving World Cup teams during the current international break in March.

The EFA stated via its media center on Thursday that this decision is part of the preparations for the tournament, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The measure aims to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency before the final announcement of the tournament's referees.

The EFA's Main Referees Committee, chaired by Oscar Ruiz, confirmed that Egyptian referees Amin Omar, a field referee, and Mahmoud Ashour, a VAR referee, have been notified of the decision, which has already been implemented.

Omar and Ashour are among the referees nominated to participate in officiating World Cup matches, marking a renewed affirmation of Egyptian refereeing's presence on the international stage. The duo receives full support from the Egyptian Football Association, led by Hany Abo Rida, and the Main Referees Committee, chaired by Oscar Ruiz, as part of efforts to back Egyptian referees nominated to represent Egyptian officiating at the world's biggest football event.