Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim named for Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo

Appointment details

FIFA announced on Sunday that Abdulrahman Al Jassim will referee Portugal's first match of the 2026 World Cup. The 38-year-old from Qatar will lead an all-Qatari crew on the field, with compatriots Taleb Almarri and Saoud Almaqaleh as his assistants. South African officials Abongile Tom and Zakhele Siwela will serve as fourth official and reserve assistant referee, respectively. The video assistant referee team has not been disclosed.

The match kicks off at 12:00 local time in Houston (18:00 in Lisbon) on Wednesday, 17 June. Portugal shares Group K with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. The group stage continues for the Portuguese side against Uzbekistan on 23 June, also in Houston, and concludes against Colombia on 27 June in Miami.

Past encounters with Portuguese players

Al Jassim has never refereed the senior Portuguese national team, but he crossed paths with several current squad members at youth level. In the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea, he sent off Rúben Dias, who was Portugal's captain at the time, during a 1-1 group-stage draw with Costa Rica. That match also featured goalkeeper Diogo Costa and defender Diogo Dalot, both now part of Roberto Martínez's senior squad.

Al Jassim's World Cup pedigree

The Qatari official is no stranger to the global stage. He gained international status in 2013 and officiated at the 2022 World Cup on home soil, including the third-place play-off between Croatia and Morocco. More recently, in 2025, he handled the FIFA Intercontinental Cup match in Qatar, where Flamengo beat Pyramids FC 2-0.

Tournament context

The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada and runs through 19 July. Portugal enter the competition with a squad that blends experienced names like Rúben Dias, Diogo Costa, and Diogo Dalot with newer talents under the guidance of manager Roberto Martínez.