Nigerian referee Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam has been selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The Zamfara-born official is among 81 match officials chosen for the tournament, which includes 27 centre referees and 54 assistant referees from 36 member associations.
Abdulsalam Set to Represent Nigeria
The 34-year-old is the only Nigerian centre referee on FIFA’s list for the tournament and one of four centre referees selected from Africa.
His appointment also ends a 25-year wait for a Nigerian centre referee at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Abdulsalam became a FIFA-listed referee in 2022 and has maintained his international badge through the annual assessment process.
Growing International Experience
The Nigerian official already has experience at several international competitions.
He has officiated at two CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and has also taken part in WAFU competitions.
His recent performances have earned him another major assignment, with Abdulsalam scheduled to referee a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Cameroon and Comoros.
He was also the only Nigerian referee selected for the 2025 African Nations Championship.
FIFA Explains Selection
FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina said the officials selected for the tournament were among the organisation’s promising match officials.
According to Collina, the selection process considered not only refereeing performances but also the officials’ ability to work within international teams and handle the demands of a major FIFA tournament.
A Major Opportunity for Abdulsalam
The U-17 World Cup will give Abdulsalam another opportunity to officiate on the global stage and gain further experience in international football.
His selection also provides another moment of recognition for Nigerian refereeing, with the country returning to the centre-referee list at the youth World Cup after a 25-year gap.
Abdulsalam will now prepare for his role in Qatar as the tournament brings together young players and match officials from around the world.