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Rabat—This week at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) officially presented its FIFA-accredited roster for 2026, with 33 of the country’s top officials. These referees have hit all the technical and physical marks required by FIFA, earning the right to blow the whistle at major CAF and FIFA events.
The annual designation authorizes selected officials to take charge of international fixtures across the upcoming calendar year. The 2026 list portrays Morocco’s continued investment in officiating across multiple formats of the game.
Representation across disciplines
The group includes seven main referees in the men’s game: Jalal Jayed, Hamza El Fariq, Mostafa Kachaaf, Hicham Temsamani, Mohamed El Baroudi, Achraf Barrada and Nawfal Nachit.
Women’s football is also strongly represented. Sabah Sadir, Zakia El Grini, Zolikha Harmas and Nouhaila Belkhoukh.
On the assistant referees’ list, FIFA recognition was granted to Lahcen Azgaou, Mostafa Akerdad, Zakaria Brinsi, Hamza Nassiri, Abdessamad Abrtoun, Zakaria Bouchtaoui and Achraf Raihan, alongside female assistants Fatiha Jermoumi, Soukaina Hamdi, Karima Khdiri and Ihssane El Nawajli.
Morocco also secured appointments in Video Assistant Referee (VAR) roles, as technological oversight is increasingly central to football. Officials accredited for international VAR duties include Jalal Jayed, Hamza El Fariq, Yassine Bouslim, Zakaria Brinsi, Fatiha Jermoumi, Moncef El Zein El Alaoui and Ayoub Chraahbil.
The country’s influence doesn’t stop at traditional football. Morocco is also securing referees in futsal and beach soccer. FIFA-listed futsal referees for 2026 are Khalid Hnaich, Said El Haoud, Mostafa Rekik and Mohamed Abokal, while Driss Lemghaidar, Youssef Ait Houmad, Azz Eddine Essalihi and Nabil El Maliki earned international status in beach soccer.
By securing so many FIFA badges, Morocco is cementing its seat at the top table of international football. It guarantees that their officials stay front and center for major appointments. With so many big tournaments on the horizon, the FRMF asserts that building a world-class refereeing structure is a top priority, and they’ve got the depth to prove it.
