Moroccan referees appointed for 2026 World Cup third-place playoff

08:43

By: Azzat Manal

Moroccan referees appointed for 2026 World Cup third-place playoff

FIFA has appointed two Moroccan match officials to the refereeing team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff, highlighting the continued international recognition of Morocco's refereeing standards.

The match, which will see France face England in Miami, will feature Jalal Jayed as the fourth official, while Zakaria Brinsi has been selected as the reserve assistant referee. Their appointments reflect FIFA's confidence in Moroccan officials, who have gained increasing prominence at major international tournaments.

The match will be officiated by Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela, assisted by his compatriots Jorge Urrego and Tulio Moreno.

FIFA has also confirmed the officiating team for the 2026 World Cup final, where Spain will take on Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has been chosen to oversee the championship match, with fellow Slovenians Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič serving as assistant referees.

Vinčić is an experienced international official who has handled several high-profile fixtures, including matches during the current World Cup. His appointment to the final reflects FIFA's emphasis on assigning experienced referees to the tournament's biggest stage.

Morocco has steadily strengthened its reputation in international football officiating over the past decade. The country's referees have regularly been selected for FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions, underlining the progress of Moroccan football both on and off the pitch.

The appointments of Jayed and Brinsi further reinforce Morocco's growing influence within the global football community, as the nation continues to expand its presence in major international sporting events.