The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the African referees and video assistants selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, notably without a single Nigerian official on the list.

This absence has fueled a wider discussion about African referee representation at the global tournament. While CAF’s selection features a blend of experienced and emerging talents, the most surprising omission for many across the continent is highly-rated Somali official Omar Abdulkadir Artan, whose exclusion has largely overshadowed other selections

The chosen officials include Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, recognized for consistent performance, alongside established names like Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, DR Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, Egypt’s Amin Omar, and Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team comprises Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham, Egypt’s Mahmoud Ashour, and Eswatini’s Letticia Viana.

CAF stated that selections were based on “rigorous assessments of consistency, experience, and performance in continental and international fixtures.”

However, the complete lack of Nigerian representation, coupled with Artan’s unexpected omission, has prompted significant scrutiny and questioning of the selection criteria and process for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

(Source: Leadership)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that Mexico will deploy 100,000 police, military and private security forces to secure the 13 games it will host during this summer’s football World Cup.

Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup along with the United States and Canada, from June 11 to July 19.

Sheinbaum made the disclosure during a press conference at a military base in Zapopan, Guadalajara state , Mexico, on March 6, 2026.

Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico City and the northeastern city of Monterrey will host 13 games between them, including opening match on June 11 at Azteca Stadium in the capital.

President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled the country’s security plan less than two weeks after an explosion of violence in Guadalajara, and other parts of the country, triggered by the death of a notorious drug lord.

Mexico City and Monterrey were spared by the violence.

Sheinbaum presented her plan at a military base in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, which was rocked by the killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, leader of the fearsome Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC) in an army raid on February 22.

Photo: D’Tigress

D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama has named her final 12-player squad for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France.

The qualifying tournament will run from March 11 to 17, with Nigeria set to face France, the Philippines, Colombia, Germany and South Korea during the series.

Wakama has largely retained the core of players who powered D’Tigress to their historic continental dominance.

Eleven members of the squad were part of the team that defeated Mali women’s national basketball team in Abidjan to secure a fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as the dominant force in African women’s basketball.

The final squad was selected from a 17-player provisional list released on February 25 as preparations intensified for the qualifiers.

Players named in the squad include Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Blessing Ejiofor, Nicole Enabosi and Ifunnaya Okoro.

Others on the roster are Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah, Victoria Macaulay, Sarah Ogoke, Murjanatu Musa and Rita Igbokwe.

Nigeria will open their campaign against Colombia on March 11 before facing South Korea the following day. D’Tigress will then meet the Philippines on March 14 after a two-day break, followed by a clash against hosts France on March 15. The team will conclude their fixtures against Germany on March 17.

(Source: Business Day)