In a surprising move that has sparked widespread controversy in Africa and international football, the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) has removed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from the list of referees taking part in the 2026 World Cup finals to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In media reports, FIFA’s decision is widely interpreted as indirect punishment for his performance as manager of the controversial 2025 African Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
Seven African referees at the World Cup
FIFA announced the final list of referees for the 2026 World Cup, which included seven African referees: Mustafa Ghorbal (Algeria), Amin Mohamed (Egypt), Pierre Acho (Gabon), Jalal Jade (Morocco), Dahan Beida (Mauritania), Omar Abdelkader Altan (Somalia) and Abongile Tom (South Africa), but Ndala was completely absent. He is one of Africa’s most prominent referees and also refereed the opening match of the African Cup of Nations.
This decision, in addition to other decisions such as the cancellation of goals and penalties, was seen as an “indirect punishment” that expressed FIFA’s dissatisfaction with the way coach Ndala managed the finals, particularly his handling of withdrawals and his failure to more strictly enforce regulations, which goes against CAF’s supportive stance and highlights the difference in their evaluations.
Africa’s last turmoil
The 2025 African Cup of Nations final, held in Rabat, Morocco, was refereed by referee Ndala of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the game started with great tension, canceling out a Senegal goal just before the end of regulation time, but awarding a penalty in Morocco’s favor after a VAR review following the intervention of Brahim Dias in the 98th minute.
Senegal’s players violently protested and were sent off for 14-17 minutes at the discretion of the coach in protest of the decision, but they returned after interference and Brahim Dias missed the penalty, so the match ended in regulation time with no goals, and Pape Gueye scored the winning goal for Senegal in the first overtime (1-0).
Senegal’s withdrawal sparked a major controversy over the application of the “withdraw or refuse to play” rule, which normally considers the withdrawing team the loser. The match nevertheless continued and Senegal was crowned champions for the first time, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later intervened and stripped Senegal of the title, awarding it to Morocco with a score of 3-0 on appeal and regulation.
CAF formally acquitted referee Ndara after a comprehensive review, finding that there were no serious mistakes warranting a penalty and deeming his performance to be professional. But FIFA took a completely different position.
In a surprising move that has sparked widespread controversy in Africa and international football, the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) has removed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from the list of referees participating in the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In media reports, FIFA’s decision is widely interpreted as indirect punishment for his controversial performance officiating the 2025 African Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
7 African World Cup referees
FIFA has announced the final list of referees for the 2026 World Cup, including Mustafa Ghorbal (Algeria), Amin Mohamed (Egypt), Pierre Achille (Gabon) and Jalal Jade. (Morocco), Dahan Bida (Mauritania), Omar Abdul Kadir Altan (Somalia) and Abongir Thom (South Africa), including seven African referees, with Ndala completely absent. Even though he is one of the prominent African referees and the opening match of the African Cup of Nations is also an official match.
This decision, in addition to other decisions such as the disallowance of goals and penalties, is seen as an “indirect penalty” that reflects FIFA’s dissatisfaction with Ndala’s management of the final, particularly the lack of handling of withdrawals and strict enforcement of regulations, and contrasts with CAF’s supportive stance, highlighting the difference in evaluation between the two sides.
chaos in africa finals
Referee Ndala of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took charge of the 2025 African Cup of Nations final in Rabat, Morocco, in an unprecedented and dramatic turn of events. The match started with great tension, with Ndala disallowing a Senegal goal just before the end of regulation time, but giving Morocco a penalty in the 98th minute following a VAR review due to a foul on Brahim Dias.
Senegal’s players violently protested the draw from the pitch for 14-17 minutes in protest of the coach’s decision, but returned after an intervention and Brahim Diaz missed a penalty, ending the match without a goal in regulation time, but in the first overtime Pape Gueye scored the winning goal for Senegal (1-0).
Senegal’s withdrawal sparked a major controversy over the application of the “withdraw or refuse to play” provision, under which the withdrawing team is usually considered to have lost. Still, the match continued, and although Senegal was initially the winner, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later intervened and stripped Senegal of the title, giving it to Morocco with a score of 3-0 on appeal and regulation.
After a comprehensive review, CAF found that there were no serious mistakes worthy of punishment and deemed his performance to be professional, and officially acquitted referee Ndara. However, FIFA took a completely different position.
