FIFA Snubs AFCON Final Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala for 2026 World Cup Refereeing List

Jean-Jacques Ndala of the Democratic Republic of Congo will not be among the referees at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with FIFA leaving him off the official list of selected officials.

The decision comes in the wake of Ndala’s controversial performance in the AFCON final, a match that saw Senegal players briefly walk off the field in protest, leading to a tense stoppage before play resumed. The dramatic scenes drew intense scrutiny from fans, media, and football authorities alike.