FIFA names Nigerian referee Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam among 81 officials for the U-17 World Cup in Qatar, ending Nigeria’s 25-year wait

FIFA has selected Nigerian referee Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam among 81 match officials for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, giving Nigeria a centre referee at the global youth tournament for the first time in 25 years.

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The 34-year-old Zamfara-born official is the only Nigerian centre referee on FIFA’s list and one of four referees selected from Africa for the competition.

FIFA announced the appointments on Thursday, naming 27 referees and 54 assistant referees from 36 member associations for the tournament.

Abdulsalam’s selection represents a significant milestone in his international refereeing career and ends a long wait for Nigeria to have a centre referee at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The Nigerian referee has steadily built his profile through continental competitions, having officiated at two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments as well as several WAFU competitions.

His recent performances have also earned him another high-profile assignment. He is scheduled to referee the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Cameroon and Comoros.

Abdulsalam became a FIFA-listed referee in 2022 and has maintained his international badge through the organisation’s annual assessment process.

He was also the only Nigerian referee selected for the 2025 African Nations Championship, places Nigerian refereeing back in the spotlight at a major FIFA youth tournament after a 25-year absence further adding to his experience at major international competitions.

FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina said the officials chosen for the U-17 World Cup were among the organisation’s most promising match officials.

Collina explained that FIFA considered not only refereeing performances but also the officials’ ability to work effectively as part of international teams and cope with the demands of a major tournament.

For Abdulsalam, the Qatar tournament will provide another important opportunity to operate on the global stage and test himself against the demands of a FIFA competition.

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His appointment also places Nigerian refereeing back in the spotlight at a major FIFA youth tournament after a 25-year absence from the centre-referee role.