Rabat – The Moroccan referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have entered the final stage of their preparation after traveling to the United States to join FIFA’s official training camps.
The delegation includes international referee Jalal Jayed as match official, assistants Mustapha Akkarkad and Zakaria Brinsi, and Hamza El Fariq as part of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team.
Their presence shows Morocco’s growing role in global football officiating.
FIFA has set up specialized camps for all referees taking part in the tournament.
The program combines physical and technical tests with practical workshops designed to unify refereeing standards before the competition begins.
Sessions also include tactical lectures and simulation exercises to prepare officials for the intensity of World Cup matches.
The Moroccan referees will follow separate schedules based on their roles. Jayed, Akkarkad, and Brinsi are training in Miami, where match officials and assistants are working together to sharpen fitness and coordination.
Meanwhile, El Fariq has joined the VAR group in Seattle, where referees are focusing on video technology and decision‑making protocols.
This stage of preparation is considered crucial. FIFA wants all referees to arrive at the 2026 World Cup with consistent approaches to key situations, from offside calls to disciplinary measures.
For the Moroccan officials, it is also a chance to represent their country at the highest level and show the quality of refereeing talent coming from North Africa.
The training camps mark the last step before the tournament kicks off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With Morocco competing in Group C against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, the presence of Moroccan referees adds another layer of national pride to the event.
For Jayed, Akkarkad, Brinsi, and El Fariq, the weeks ahead will be about fine‑tuning their readiness and ensuring they are prepared for the demands of the world’s biggest football stage.
