The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the complete list of match officials assigned to oversee the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. Among the selected officials, five Moroccan referees have been chosen for this major continental event.
In a statement published on its official channels, CAF confirmed the appointment of 73 highly experienced referees for this edition, the largest tournament ever organized by the confederation. The list includes 28 central referees, 31 assistant referees, and 14 VAR officials, all selected to ensure high-quality officiating throughout the competition.
Five Moroccan Referees Appointed for AFCON 2025
The Moroccan referees chosen to take part in the tournament are well-known for their experience in CAF competitions. The officials selected are:
- Jalal Jayed – Referee
- Mustapha Ghorbal – Referee
- Zakaria Brinsi – Assistant Referee
- Mostafa Akarkad – Assistant Referee
- Hamza El Fariq – VAR Official
CAF emphasized that the referees were chosen to represent all regions of Africa and belong to some of the most accomplished officiating teams on the continent, having overseen major CAF tournaments in recent years.
Referees to Attend Intensive Preparation Camp in Morocco
CAF confirmed that all selected referees will arrive in Morocco on 15 December 2025 to take part in an in-depth preparation program led by the Refereeing Department. This training camp will include:
- Physical fitness tests
- Technical and on-field workshops
- Advanced VAR simulations
- Theoretical and regulatory sessions
According to CAF, the goal is to ensure full readiness and deliver an exceptional level of refereeing throughout AFCON Morocco 2025.
AFCON 2025: CAF Publishes the Full List of 28 Central Referees
CAF has also released the list of 28 central referees who will take charge of matches during the competition. As the tournament draws near, this announcement highlights the confederation’s efforts to guarantee high-level officiating.
The list includes just one female referee, Uganda’s Shamira Nabadda, making her the only woman selected among the central officials.
Official List of the 28 Referees Selected for AFCON 2025
- Ghorbal Mustapha (Algeria)
- Gamou Youcef (Algeria)
- Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
- Mdabihawenimana Pacifique (Burundi)
- Nfere Aboub Abdoul (Cameroon)
- Alhadji Allalou Mahamat (Chad)
- Messie Jessie Oved N. Moutouo (Congo)
- Kpan Clement Franklin (Ivory Coast)
- Ndala Ngambo Jean-Jacques (DR Congo)
- Mohamed Mansour Maarouf (Egypt)
- Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)
- Atcho Pierre Ghislain (Gabon)
- Mebiame Patrice Tanguy (Gabon)
- Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea (Ghana)
- Kamaku Peter Waweru (Kenya)
- Traore Boubou (Mali)
- Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania)
- Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
- Herallal Ahmed Imtehaz (Mauritius)
- Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
- Kach Grafe Mustapha (Morocco)
- Uwikunda Samuel (Rwanda)
- Issa Sy (Senegal)
- Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)
- Abongile Tom (South Africa)
- Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)
- Mehrez Melki (Tunisia)
- Shamira Nabadda (Uganda)
Official CAN 2025 Referees list. Source: @CAF_Media
This comprehensive list demonstrates CAF’s commitment to maintaining fairness, transparency, and technical excellence at all stages of the competition.
With the release of the complete refereeing team, AFCON Morocco 2025 enters a new stage of final preparations. The inclusion of five Moroccan referees and a strong, diverse group of officials reflects CAF’s ambition to deliver a world-class tournament. Morocco’s organizational readiness, combined with CAF’s focus on high-quality refereeing, promises an exceptional continental football celebration.
