Abdulsalam makes history as Nigeria’s lone referee at U-17 World Cup

Vanguard News | 23-09-2026 01:28pm |

Nigerian referee Kasimu Abiola Abdulsalam has been selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar. He is the only Nigerian among the 81 match officials appointed for the tournament, which will run from November 19 to December 13. The 34-year-old, a FIFA-licensed official since 2022, is one of four centre referees selected from Africa. Abdulsalam has previously officiated at two Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the 2023 and 2026 editions.

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