MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA) has announced that 20 international referee umpires from the Sultanate of Oman have been approved by Fifa for international duties in 2025. The list includes 16 football referees comprising seven main referees and nine assistant referees, along with two beach soccer referees and two futsal referees. Leading the list of football referees is Oman’s internationally acclaimed Ahmed al Kaaf, joined by Omar al Yaqoobi, Qasim al Hatmi, Mahmood al Majrafi, Yahya al Balushi, Mohammed al Maani, and Said al Mazyani. The assistant referees are Abubaker al Amri, Hamed al Ghafri, Hamood al Shuaibi, Rashid al Ghaithi, Rashad al Hakmani, Salim al Abri, and Mohammed al Ghazali. Oman’s representation in beach soccer officiating is upheld by international referees Falah al Balushi and Zakariya al Hinai, while futsal referees are represented by Majid al Hatmi and Maryam al Hadhrami. A highlight of this recognition is the selection of Ahmed al Kaaf, along with assistant referees Abubaker al Amri and Rashid al Ghaithi, for the preliminary officiating list for the 2026 Fifa World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The trio joins a prestigious group of officials from across the region, including Qatar’s Abdulrahman al Jasim and Salman Falahi; Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed al Huaaish and Khalid al Turees; the UAE’s Adil al Naqbi and Omar al Ali; Australian Ridha Faghani; Japan’s Araki Youski; Jordan’s Adham Mukhadma; Uzbekistan’s Algees Tatasheef; China’s Manenej; Korea’s Kim Joon; Malaysia’s Mohammed Nadhmi; Kuwait’s Ahmed al Ali; and Japan’s Yama Sheeta. Omani referees have shown remarkable growth and development in international football officiating in recent years. This recognition underscores their dedication to upholding the highest standards in the sport.
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