Zamfara-born Abdulsalam breaks 25-year logjam of non-Nigerian referee at World Cup
A Nigerian referee, Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam, has been selected as one of 81 officials for this year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup tournament to take place in Qatar. The 34-year-old official is the only centre referee from Nigeria, and one of four from Africa to make the list that also includes eight assistant referees from Africa. […]
Nigerian referee Abdulsalam breaks 25-year impasse for non-Nigerian center officials at World Cup. The 34-year-old Abdulsalam, born in Zamfara, is the second Nigerian to ever hold the position, following in the footsteps of his predecessor. Abdulsalam's selection as one of 81 officials for the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar marks a significant milestone for African representation in the prestigious tournament.
The official joins four other African referees on the list, demonstrating FIFA's commitment to nurturing talent on the continent. Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, praised the selected officials for their exceptional abilities, emphasizing their readiness to take charge of senior international matches and their potential to become future leaders in world football.
The 2025 edition of the tournament showcased the importance of giving talented match officials the chance to develop in high-pressure environments, a principle that guided the selection process for this year's roster. Abdulsalam's appointment also comes after a long-standing absence of Nigerian officials in major FIFA tournaments, signaling a positive shift in the country's representation on the global stage.
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