World football governing body FIFA has selected match officials for the upcoming 2022 World Cup to be staged in Qatar this year.
Among the list are six referees from Africa who will be joining some of the world’s best referees across the globe to officiate a total of 64 games when the tournament begins in November.
However, the list released on Thursday does not include a referee from Ghana.
Senegal referee Ndiaye Maguette who officiated Ghana’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa, has been included, with 36 referees, 69 assistant referees, and 24 video match officials.
Maguette was heavily criticized for awarding the Black Stars a penalty which Andre Ayew made no mistake in converting to hand Ghana a win.
The world football governing body later vindicated him.
After making the final list, the 35-year-old is set for his first World Cup tournament.
Joining Ndiaye Maguette are Bakary Gassama from Gambia, Mustapha Ghorbal from Algeria, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda, Victor Gomez from South Africa, and Janny Sikazwe from Zambia.
Gambian Gassama and Sikazwe are the only two among the aforementioned names who are making a return to officiate at the World Cup tournament, with the remaining making their debut.
Also, eight assistant referees were included on the list making it 14 officials from Africa.
Africa’s representatives will be Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, and Cameroon.
