Kasimu Abiola Abdulsalam will carry Nigeria’s flag at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup after being named among the tournament’s match officials by world football’s governing body.
The 34-year-old is the only Nigerian selected for the competition in Qatar, where 81 referees and assistant referees will officiate between November 19 and December 13.
Abdulsalam’s appointment places him among four centre referees chosen from Africa for the tournament. Eight other officials from the continent were selected as assistant referees.
The FIFA-listed referee has built his international experience since receiving his licence in 2022, including assignments at the 2023 and 2026 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
His selection also gives Nigeria representation at the global youth tournament even though the Golden Eaglets failed to qualify after their elimination at the West Africa Football Union stage.
FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina said the appointments were based not only on officials’ performances but also their capacity to operate within international officiating teams and handle the demands of a major tournament.
“For this year’s edition, we have again brought together some of the most promising officials from every confederation,” Collina said.
Abdulsalam’s appointment follows the appearance of fellow Nigerian official Mimisen Iyorhe Calvin Onwuka at the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, where Onwuka served as an assistant referee.
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