Moroccan official Jalal Jayed will take charge of Sunday’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff final between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with an all-North African crew appointed to ensure impartiality in the high-stakes clash at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Jayed, a seasoned CAF referee, will be flanked by compatriots Mustapha Akarkad as first assistant and Zakaria Bernissi as second, while Tunisian Mahrez El Malki serves as fourth official.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties fall to Algerian Lahlou Benbraham, assisted by Tunisian Haitham Guirat, completing a regional lineup for the 8:00 pm kickoff.
The appointment underscores FIFA and CAF’s push for neutrality in continental playoffs, where the winner advances to 2026 March’s inter-confederation showdown for a final World Cup berth alongside Bolivia, New Caledonia and either Iraq or the UAE.
Nigeria, buoyed by a 4-1 extra-time win over Gabon, seeks a seventh global appearance, while DR Congo aims to return after a 48-year absence.
