Qatari refereeing team to officiate Portugal vs. DR Congo World Cup match on 17 June 2026

FIFA has chosen a group of Qatari referees to take charge of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage match between Portugal and the DRC in Houston stadium on June 17 This appointment also reflects the increasing global acknowledgment of Qatari referees, showcasing their prowess in handling high-stakes matches on one of football's biggest stages.

The referee squad chosen consists of Abdulrahman Al-Jassim as the referee along with assistant referees Saud Ahmed and Talib Salem Al-Marri. Khamis Al-Marri has also been selected as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) official at the tournament.

Key Highlights

• Match Official Referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (QAT) Game Portugal vs DR Congo

• The match is to be held at Houston Stadium on June 17, 2026.

• assistant referees: Saud Ahmed, Talib Salem Al-Marri

• The VAR official is Khamis Al-Marri.

International Recognition for Qatari Referees

Qatar previously announced its own list of officials who will officiate at the 2026 World Cup, as one of 32 countries expected to be featured in the tournament. This appointment is another vote of confidence in Qatar's refereeing levels and the know-how gained from their years competing in major continental and world tournaments.

Thanks to impressive performances in major men’s events, Qatari referees earned a solid reputation on the world scene and will now have significant roles at the expanded 48-team World Cup being co-hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico.

Group Stage Details

Includes Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia
The FIFA World Cup 2026 takes place until July 19.
The tournament features 48 national teams.

Growing Global Presence

The choice is representative of the strides Qatari football officials have made in recent years. Qatari referees have gained greater experience through the advanced training programs and vast participation in several major international competitions, which contributed to enhancing their continued presence at various major global sporting events.

With this most recent FIFA appointment, Qatar has again cemented its status as a supporter and contributor to the game of football internationally, on and off the pitch at world level through high-level officiating.