The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has suspended Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from officiating at the 2026 World Cup. The decision follows his controversial handling of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco.
Ndala's performance in the final, held on February 9, 2025, was widely criticized. Key incidents included a disputed penalty awarded to Senegal and a contentious red card shown to a Moroccan player. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) subsequently opened an investigation into the officiating.
While FIFA has not released a detailed public statement, multiple sports news agencies confirmed the suspension. The sanction means Ndala will not be part of the referee pool for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The suspension highlights ongoing concerns about refereeing standards in high-profile tournaments. Ndala, who was considered a leading African referee, had previously officiated at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
