By Kwame Bediako
Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, who officiated the explosive 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, has been excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup officials list. The DR Congo match official took charge of the ill-fated Senegal vs Morocco showdown that cost the Teranga Lions their continental crown.
Ndala’s performance drew widespread criticism after Senegal walked off following a disputed penalty, only for Brahim Diaz to miss before Pape Gueye’s late winner.
Morocco’s successful appeal led CAF’s Appeals Jury to declare a 3-0 forfeit in March, fueling the ongoing saga now at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FIFA’s final roster features Brazil dominating with nine officials, including three main refs like Ramon Abatti Abel. Africa’s representation includes Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria), Pierre Atcho (Gabon), Amin Mohamed (Egypt), Jalal Jayed (Morocco), Dahane Beida (Mauritania), Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia), and Abongile Tom (South Africa) notably omitting Ndala.
The 2026 tournament across USA, Canada, and Mexico (June 11-July 19) showcases 48 nations but no spot for the man at AFCON’s controversy center. His panned decisions in Rabat appear to have cost him global stage access.
African football watches as the referee fallout underscores the AFCON final’s lingering scars, with Motsepe’s recent Dakar diplomacy unable to erase Ndala’s World Cup snub.
