Cristiano Ronaldo chases history at NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, with Portugal taking on DR Congo in Group K of World Cup 2026. A win — and a goal — for Ronaldo could make him the first player to score at six separate World Cups.

The man charged with controlling proceedings will be Abdulrahman Al-Jassim, one of the most experienced referees in the AFC confederation.

Who is Abdulrahman Al-Jassim?

Al-Jassim is a 38-year-old Qatari referee who has been on FIFA's international list since 2013. Despite his relative youth, he carries a substantial record at major tournaments and high-stakes international fixtures.

His rise on the global stage began in 2019, when he officiated matches at both the AFC Asian Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the same year. At the Asian Cup, he took charge of a quarter-final; at the Gold Cup, he refereed the semi-final between Haiti and Mexico.

Al-Jassim then officiated at the 2022 Qatar World Cup — his home tournament — where he oversaw the group stage clash between the United States and Wales, as well as the third-place play-off between Croatia and Morocco.

Recent form and club football credentials

In the 2025–26 Qatar Stars League season, Al-Jassim sent off seven players across 14 matches, awarded nine penalties, and averaged more than five yellow cards per game — figures that paint the picture of a referee unafraid to make decisive calls.

His biggest club appointment came in 2025, when he refereed the AFC Champions League Elite final between Al-Ahly and Kawasaki Frontale in Jeddah, the most prestigious club match available to an AFC official.

Match officials for Portugal vs DR Congo

Al-Jassim will be flanked by fellow Qatari officials Taleb Al-Marri and Saud Al-Maqaleh as his assistant referees. South Africa's Abongile Tom takes the fourth official role, while compatriot Khamis Al-Marri will lead the VAR operation.