Nigerian referee Kasimu Abdulsalam has earned a place among the officials selected by FIFA to oversee the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to take place in Qatar from November 19 to December 13.

Abdulsalam is one of 81 match officials appointed for the tournament, and one of just four centre referees chosen from Africa for the competition. Eight assistant referees from the continent were also included in FIFA's full list of appointments.

A career milestone

The appointment marks a significant step forward in Abdulsalam's refereeing career. He has previously taken charge of matches at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, including the 2023 and 2026 editions, and his elevation to a global stage reflects the continued growth of his profile within the game.

Eaglets absent from Qatar

While Abdulsalam will represent Nigeria on the international stage, the country's national under-17 side — the Golden Eaglets — will not be in Qatar. Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament for a second consecutive edition, leaving their fans without a team to cheer in the stands.

The 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup promises to be a showcase of the world's finest young talent, and Abdulsalam's presence among the officials is a point of pride for Nigerian football.