FIFA Unveils 2025 Saudi Referee Line-Up: 21 Men And 3 Women to Officiate

FIFA has named a group of Saudi Arabian referees for international duties in 2025, comprising 24 professionals with a mix of 21 men and 3 women. Among them, eight have been designated as head referees. These include Mohammed Al-Huwaish, Faisal Al-Balawi, Shukri Al-Hanfosh, Mohamed Al-Smaail, Abdullah Al-Shehri, Majed Al-Shamrani, Khalid Al-Turais, and Heba Al-Owaidi.

In addition to the head referees, FIFA has also accredited 10 assistant referees from Saudi Arabia. This list features Mohammed Al-Abkari, Abdulrahim Al-Shammari, Ibrahim Al-Dakhil, Omar Al-Jamal, Faisal Al-Qahtani, Hisham Al-Rifai, Khalaf Al-Shammari, Saad Al-Subaie, Yasser Al-Sultan, and Eman Al-Madani. Their roles are crucial in supporting the main referees by making key on-field decisions, marking an essential step in their careers at the international level.

Image Courtesy: FIFA

The list extends to specialized officiating roles, including FIFA video match officials. Six referees have been appointed for this task: Mohammed Al-Huwaish, Sultan Al-Harbi, Mamdouh Al-Shahdan, Majed Al-Shamrani, Abdullah Al-Shehri, and Khalid Al-Turais. Video match officials play a significant role in ensuring the accuracy of crucial game decisions through video replay technology, enhancing the fairness and integrity of the sport.

Furthermore, FIFA's selection encompasses officials for other football variants, signifying the comprehensive development of refereeing talent in Saudi Arabia. Yahya Al-Athwani and Reem Al-Bishi have been named as futsal referees, while Hamed Al-Malki has been tasked with beach soccer officiating. These appointments showcase the diverse opportunities available for referees within the FIFA framework and highlight the expanding scope of football globally.

This notable inclusion of Saudi referees across different categories of football officiating underscores FIFA's commitment to promoting diversity and excellence in the sport's governance. The blend of male and female officials, along with the recognition of talent in futsal and beach soccer, reflects the evolving nature of football and its growing appeal worldwide.