Jalal Jayed named referee for Germany vs Curacao at World Cup 2026

Jalal Jayed will referee Germany’s World Cup 2026 Group E opener against Curacao at NRG Stadium in Houston, becoming the first Moroccan official to take charge of a World Cup match since 2002.

Jayed is one of the most experienced referees in African football, having overseen major AFCON knockout fixtures and high-profile domestic clashes including the Casablanca derby. His appointment marks a significant milestone for Moroccan officiating on the global stage.

He will be supported by an all-Moroccan assistant referee team on the touchlines, with Zakaria Brinsi and Mostafa Akarkad serving as linesmen. The fourth official role goes to South Africa’s Abongile Tom, who officiated at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and was one of two South African referees awarded professional contracts by CAF in 2023. Fellow South African Zakhele Siwela — officiating at his third consecutive major tournament — takes the reserve assistant referee position.

In the VAR booth, Hamza El-Fariq of Morocco serves as the video assistant referee. Nicolas Gallo fills the assistant VAR role, while Australian Shaun Evans — a veteran of the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup — acts as support video assistant referee.

The match itself pits four-time world champions Germany against tournament debutants Curacao, with Die Mannschaft heavy favourites to open their Group E campaign with a win.