Referee Assignments Announced for Gulf Cup 27 Matches
The Gulf Football Association has revealed the referee assignments for two matches scheduled for Saturday, marking the third day of action in the 27th Gulf Cup. This tournament is currently being held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from September 23 to October 6, featuring eight national teams competing in a series of 15 matches.
Group A consists of teams from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Oman, which will engage in fierce competition to secure advancement in the tournament. The match between Kuwait and Iraq will take place at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, while Saudi Arabia will face Oman at the Al-Na’ma Stadium.
Key Matches in Gulf Cup 27
The first of the two matches will see Kuwait facing Iraq, with Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed appointed to officiate. He will be assisted by his compatriots Zakaria Brinsi and Mustafa Akarkad, while Dutch referee Danny Makkelie will serve as the fourth official. Jayed has built a solid reputation in recent years due to his balanced performance in several African tournaments.
Notably, he officiated an important match between Germany and Paraguay during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite mixed reviews from German fans regarding his officiating in that game, FIFA praised his performance in subsequent analyses. His decision-making abilities continue to receive acclaim from various football organizations.
Video Assistant Referee Team for Kuwait vs. Iraq
In terms of video assistance, Moroccan Hamza Al-Farq has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), supported by Dutch assistant Arwin Blank. Additionally, Bahraini Ali Al-Samahiji will oversee the referees as an observer, ensuring that the game is conducted as fairly as possible.
The second match of the day features Saudi Arabia against Oman at Al-Na’ma Stadium. Bahraini referee Ammar Mahfoodh will take charge of this match, with fellow Bahrainis Mohammad Jaafar Salman and Abdullah Al-Ruwaimi assisting. Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro will also be serving as the fourth official for this encounter.
VAR and Officiating Assignments for Saudi Arabia vs. Oman
For the VAR in the Saudi Arabia versus Oman match, Qatari referee Mashari Al-Shammari has been nominated along with Bahraini Ismail Habib as the assistant VAR. Emirati Hamad Al-Mazrouei will function as the referee observer for this encounter. These appointments reflect the Gulf Football Association’s commitment to integrating qualified officials within the tournament, enhancing overall officiating standards.
This year’s Gulf Cup not only features local referees but also includes international referees from regions such as Africa, Jordan, China, and the Netherlands, fostering an environment of shared expertise and improving the officiating framework.
Collaboration and Development in Refereeing
The inclusion of Moroccan referees aligns with a cooperation agreement established between the Gulf Football Association and the African Football Confederation (CAF). This initiative highlights the growing partnership between different football federations, as they seek to learn from each other’s experiences and implement best practices within their competitions.
The tournament’s emphasis on diversity and the exchange of referee experiences underscores the Gulf Football Association’s strategic direction. It aims to improve the quality of officiating through international collaboration, which ultimately benefits the game and upholds fairness and integrity on the field.