Nigeria Ends 25-Year Wait as Abdulsalam Named U-17 World Cup Referee

Nigeria will end a 25-year wait for a centre referee at the FIFA U-17 World Cup after Zamfara-born official Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam was selected among the match officials for this year’s tournament in Qatar.

The 34-year-old is the only Nigerian centre referee on FIFA’s list and one of four referees selected from Africa for the competition.

FIFA named 81 match officials for the tournament, comprising 27 referees and 54 assistant referees from 36 member associations.

Abdulsalam’s appointment marks the first time since 2001 that a Nigerian centre referee will officiate at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, ending a lengthy absence for the country in the centre-referee category at the competition.

The official has built significant international experience, having featured at two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments as well as several WAFU competitions.

Abdulsalam became a FIFA-listed referee in 2022 and has retained his international badge through the annual assessment process.

He was also the only Nigerian referee selected for the 2025 African Nations Championship, further adding to his experience on the continental stage.

His recent performances have earned him another major assignment, with Abdulsalam scheduled to officiate the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture between Cameroon and Comoros.

FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina said the officials selected for the U-17 World Cup were among the organisation’s promising match officials. He noted that the appointments considered not only their performances but also their ability to work effectively within international teams and handle the demands of a major tournament.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar will therefore provide Abdulsalam with another opportunity to officiate on the global stage and continue his development as an international referee