The 2026 World Cup gathered momentum with the recent release of a list of the 170-member list of center referees, assistants, and VAR officials. The list sparked widespread scrutiny, especially in Africa where five high-profile FIFA-badged referees were notably omitted, a decision linked to their controversial performances that marred AFCON 2025. We examine the referees, the controversial calls, and questionable decisions that cost them a 2026 World Cup spot.

Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala (DR Congo): Morocco and Senegal

The most controversial on the list is a veteran of four AFCON tournaments. Ndala officiated four matches in Morocco- including three involving the host nation- and awarded a tournament-high three penalties. The Congolese native oversaw the ‘shame of the century’ in AFCON history during the Morocco-Senegal final match. He hastily lew his whistle to disallow Ismaila Sarr’s second half goal before it crossed the line, preventing VAR intervention. Subsequently, he awarded Morocco a controversial penalty in the dying minutes, and failed to discipline Senegal for the 15-minute walk-off the pitch that has brought ridicule to AFCON reputation.

Issa Sy (Senegal): Nigeria vs Algeria

The Senegalese referee was heavily criticized by both countries for his performance in the quarter-final match. Sy was accused of not consulting VAR to deny Algeria an early penalty, and dished out yellow cards indiscriminately to the Desert Foxes. He also failed to award a Calvin Bassey goal due to lack of goal-line technology despite VAR intervention. The veteran of four AFCON tournaments was accused of poor sportsmanship for refusal to shake Algerians after the match, and needed heavy security to leave the stadium. A FIFA-badge referee since 2015, Sy also recently drew media ire for unprovoked intimidation during a recent CAF Champions League match for displaying the red card without reason. This perhaps nailed the no-nonsense referee’s slim chance of officiating at the 2026 World Cup.

Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana): Morocco vs Nigeria

The Ghanaian referee’s performance faced intense scrutiny that a mass reportage campaign forced a takedown of his Instagram account. The towelgate that permeated into the final started under his watch but his on-field bias was more damaging. No Moroccan player received a yellow card despite 22 fouls, and Bassey was booked for a phantom foul. Laryea stifled Nigeria’s momentum in build-up by repeatedly stopping play for fouls, but allowed Morocco continuity when on the ball. Upon returning to Ghana, Laryea admitted the semi-final—the first of his career—was his ‘toughest ever.’ He was relegated to Confederations Cup matches afterwards, resulting in the 2026 World Cup snub.

Boubou Traoré (Mali): Morocco vs. Tanzania

The Malian robbed Tanzania of the chance to push Morocco further in their round of 16 clash with his refusal to award a penalty to the Taifa Stars in the dying seconds of the match. Traore then failed to consult VAR for a review of the clear and obvious error, a decision that drew the ire of Tanzania’s bench, and CAF promptly sent the 37 years old back home. He has not officiated any high-profile match on the continent afterwards, and the FIFA snub is the Biggest of his career.

Abdou Abdel Mefire (Cameroon): Morocco vs Mali

Hailed as the youngest referee at AFCON ’25, the 29 years old awarded two penalties- one to each team- in the match, and both were deemed soft. Mefire was described as too young for the level, and CAF sent him home for “performances deemed unsatisfactory”. Recently, he required security to leave the stadium following questionable decisions in a CAF Champions League match. This accumulation of poor officiating and the 2026 World Cup snub is a setback to the young referee’s career. (Weekend Trust)