Amongst the 99 officials at this year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Russia, 19 are from Africa. Of the nineteen, six are referees while the rest are assistants. FIFA has also confirmed that Video Assistant Refereeing will be used in the June tournament with the VAR officials due to be chosen from the pool of the 99 selected officials. The chosen officials representing 46 nations of the world will attend a two-week seminar in Italian Football Association’s base in Coverciano this April.

The following is the list of the six African referees:

• Mehdi Abid Charef - Algeria

• Malang Diedhiou - Senegal

• Bakary Papa Gassama -The Gambia

• Gehad Grisha - Egypt

• Janny Sikazwe - Zambia

• Bamlak Tessema Weyesa - Ethiopia