Only five Afghan referees have been included in FIFA’s 2026 international lists, placing Afghanistan among the lowest-represented countries in Asia.
Asia | By Zulaikha Abram Amani
FIFA has released its official list of international referees for football, futsal and beach soccer for 2026, with only five officials from Afghanistan included across all categories.
The figure places Afghanistan among the Asian countries with the smallest number of FIFA-listed referees, at a time when several nations across the continent have significantly expanded their representation in international officiating.
Sports analysts say the limited presence reflects long-standing challenges in referee development, including a lack of structured training programmes, limited institutional support and restricted access to international exposure. These factors have affected the progression of Afghan referees to the highest levels of the game.
The low number of FIFA-accredited referees may also have broader implications for Afghan football, particularly in terms of representation in official international competitions and the overall credibility of domestic officiating structures.
Observers note that strengthening referee education, providing consistent assessment pathways and increasing opportunities for international assignments will be essential if Afghanistan is to improve its standing within Asia’s refereeing framework.
The latest FIFA list has once again highlighted the need for focused investment in officiating as a core component of football development in the country.