Just days before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco, Algerian refereeing has suffered a setback. Youcef Gamouh, selected among the tournament’s central referees, has been forced to withdraw due to medical reasons.
The decision was confirmed by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), which did not disclose details regarding his condition but officially confirmed his unavailability and wished him a swift recovery.
At 38 years old, Gamouh is considered one of Algeria’s most experienced referees. His recent appointment by FIFA for the U20 World Cup in Chile underlined his growing international recognition and positioned him as a strong candidate for major matches at CAN 2025.
His withdrawal reduces Algeria’s representation in central refereeing roles. While four Algerian officials will still take part in the tournament, only Mustapha Ghorbal will officiate as a main referee. Ghorbal, a regular at CAF and FIFA competitions, will now carry sole responsibility for representing Algerian refereeing at the whistle.
Gamouh’s absence is viewed as a medical setback rather than a professional one, at a time when refereeing standards will be closely watched throughout the tournament.
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