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Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal will take charge of the Türkiye-U.S. World Cup 2026 match, bringing major tournament experience from Africa, Qatar 2022 and continental club football.
Ghorbal, one of the eight African officials selected for the tournament in North America, is appearing at his second World Cup. He was also named as referee for Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti, underlining his continued place among FIFA’s trusted match officials.
Ghorbal was born in Oran, a coastal city in Algeria. The 40-year-old began working in Algeria’s first division in 2011 and moved up quickly, earning FIFA recognition just three years later.
Since then, he has built up a strong international profile. He has taken charge of matches at the last four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and has also refereed two African Champions League finals.
Ghorbal brings prior World Cup experience to the tournament, having refereed two matches during the 2022 edition in Qatar.
He was also the fourth official in the quarterfinal between Croatia and Brazil, a match Croatia won 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic knockout tie.
The Algerian official has also faced difficult moments in major African matches. During an African Champions League semifinal between Tunisia’s Esperance and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Ghorbal needed a police escort after the game.
Water bottles were thrown at him after he ruled out an Esperance goal for a foul on the goalkeeper. Esperance manager Patrice Beaumelle later criticized him, accusing him of “killing the game” and being “weak.”
After being selected for the 2026 World Cup, Ghorbal thanked those who had supported him and said he hoped to live up to the trust placed in him.
“Thank God I was chosen among the list of referees who will participate in the 2026 World Cup—my second tournament,” he said.
“I thank everyone who supported me and I thank the Algerian Football Federation for their absolute support. God willing, I will live up to the trust placed in me and represent Algeria in the best possible way at the World Cup.”
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