Alkass English
FIFA’s Referees Committee has appointed a Qatari officiating team to take charge of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup Group C clash between Portugal’s Benfica and New Zealand’s Auckland City, set for Friday evening in the United States.
Leading the Qatari crew is referee Salman Falahi, with Ramzan Al Naemi and Majid Al Shammari serving as assistant referees. Khamis Al Marri will also represent Qatar as part of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team.
Their presence is part of a broader Qatari representation at the tournament, highlighting the country’s growing stature in world football officiating. The selection of these officials follows a competitive process, with FIFA choosing from a global pool of 117 candidates — including 35 referees, 58 assistants, and 24 VAR officials — representing 41 different national associations.
This appointment reflects the continued development and international recognition of Qatari referees, who have consistently excelled in regional and global competitions. The group is part of FIFA’s “Team One” — the elite officiating unit trained and prepared through extensive workshops to ensure the highest standards throughout the tournament.