South Africa’s Abongile Tom Confirmed as FIFA World Cup 2026 Referee

South African referee Abongile Tom has been officially selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a landmark achievement in his officiating career.

FIFA has included Tom among a group of 13 referees who will undergo specialized training later this month to prepare for the tournament. His selection comes after a strong showing at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he handled three matches.

The African referees selected for the 2026 World Cup are:

• Omar Abdulkadir Artan
• Dahane Beida
• Mustapha Ghorbal
• Amin Mohamed
• Abongile Tom
• Pierre Atcho