The appointment represents a significant milestone for Nigerian refereeing, as Abdulsalam is the only Nigerian centre referee named among the 81 match officials selected for the tournament.
A Nigerian football referee, Kasimu Abiola Abdulsalam, has earned a major international appointment after being selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Abdulsalam Ends 25-Year Wait
The 34-year-old Zamfara-born referee is set to become only the second Nigerian centre referee to officiate at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, ending a 25-year wait for Nigeria to have a centre referee at the competition.
His selection places him among 27 referees and 54 assistant referees chosen from 36 FIFA member associations for the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup will take place in Qatar from November 19 to December 13, 2026.
A Reward for International Experience
Abdulsalam has steadily built his reputation through international competitions. He has officiated at two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the 2023 and 2026 editions, as well as other competitions organised within the West African Football Union (WAFU).
He became a FIFA-listed referee in 2022 and has retained his international badge through the required annual assessments.
His latest appointment is another step in his development on the international stage.
FIFA Explains Referees’ Selection
FIFA Referees Committee chairman and FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina said the officials selected for the tournament were among the promising referees from their respective confederations.
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets Miss Tournament
Interestingly, Abdulsalam will represent Nigeria at the tournament even though the country’s Golden Eaglets will not participate in the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
His selection therefore provides a notable Nigerian presence at the global competition despite the absence of the country’s U-17 men’s team.
A Major Moment for Nigerian Refereeing
For Abdulsalam, the FIFA appointment represents an opportunity to officiate on one of football’s biggest youth stages and gain further experience at the international level.
As the football world prepares for the Qatar tournament, Nigerian football fans will be watching with interest as Abdulsalam takes charge of matches and represents the country on the global stage.
TheNewsNaija | Sports & Latest Nigerian News
You may also like to read this…
Messi is Expected to Become the Owner of a Football Club in Spain.
There is love in sharing….
