Nigeria is set to have a centre referee at the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in 25 years after Zamfara-born official Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam was selected for this year’s tournament in Qatar.
The 34-year-old is the only Nigerian among the centre referees appointed for the competition and one of four African officials selected for the role.
FIFA has named 81 match officials for the tournament, comprising referees and assistant referees from different parts of the world.
Abdulsalam’s selection marks Nigeria’s return to the centre-referee category at the global youth competition after a 25-year absence.
The Nigerian official has built significant international experience through his participation in two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and several WAFU competitions.
His recent performances have also resulted in further international appointments. He is scheduled to referee the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Cameroon and Comoros.
Abdulsalam became a FIFA-listed international referee in 2022 and has maintained his badge through the organisation’s annual assessment process.
He was also the only Nigerian referee selected for the 2025 African Nations Championship, further strengthening his international profile.
FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina said the officials selected for the U-17 World Cup were among the organisation’s promising referees.
Collina said the appointments were based not only on the officials’ performances but also on their ability to work effectively with international teams and cope with the demands of a major tournament.
For Abdulsalam, the FIFA U-17 World Cup will provide another opportunity to officiate on the global stage and gain further experience as he continues his refereeing career.
