MUSCAT : In an official statement, the OFA reaffirmed its full support for referee Ahmed Al-Kaf and his team, stating that they have a legitimate right to participate in major FIFA tournaments—particularly the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Association’s Chairman personally contacted the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), expressing surprise at Al-Kaf’s omission. He also referenced Al-Kaf’s earlier exclusion from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, describing it as controversial given the referee’s consistent performance and international recognition.

During the call, the OFA Chairman highlighted Al-Kaf’s strong track record and the key matches he has officiated under the AFC, which were handled with commendable professionalism. He urged the AFC to disclose the criteria used to select referees for global tournaments and called for a fairer evaluation process moving forward, emphasizing Al-Kaf’s potential as a top candidate for the 2026 World Cup.

Additionally, the OFA General Secretary reached out to the AFC Director of Referees, affirming the Omani team’s eligibility and requesting a clear explanation for their exclusion. He stressed the need for transparency in the referee selection process for FIFA events.

The Oman Football Association concluded by thanking the Omani public and sports media for their support of the national refereeing team. It pledged to continue advocating for Ahmed Al-Kaf’s inclusion in future international competitions, citing his high competency and dedication to representing Oman with excellence on the world stage.

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