By OkayGoal 
Algeria finest and top-rated referee, Mustapha Ghorbal, has promised to represent his nation well at the impending 2026 World Cup tournament.
The experienced centre referee will take charge at football’s biggest stage for the second time, underlining his growing reputation on the global scene.
As preparations ramp up, the world football governing body (FIFA) recently released the lists of match officials for the tournament, with seven African referees making the cut, including Ghorbal.
He has, however, shared his excitement and gratitude, while promising to live up to expectations at the tournament.
“Thank God I have been selected to participate in the 2026 World Cup, and this will be my second participation in the World Cup.”
He also took time to acknowledge the support he has received throughout his journey, adding:
“I thank the Algerian Federation and the Central Arbitration Committee for their absolute support.”
Looking ahead to the tournament, the Algerian referee stressed his determination to represent his country with pride on the world stage.
“I hope to live up to the expectations of those who have placed their trust in us, and that we will represent Algeria in the best possible way, and raise the national flag high.”
Ghorbal’s selection comes as no surprise given his consistent performances at the highest level of African and international football. Over the past few years, he has built a strong reputation for handling high-pressure matches with authority and control.
Among his most notable assignments was the 2020 CAF Champions League final between Al Ahly and Zamalek, a fiercely contested Cairo derby that placed him at the centre of one of African football’s most intense fixtures. His calm management of that game further cemented his status as one of the continent’s most trusted referees.
He was also part of the officiating team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, gaining valuable experience on football’s grandest stage. That exposure now sets the stage for another opportunity in 2026, where expectations will be even higher.
With his latest appointment, Ghorbal continues to strengthen Algeria’s presence in elite refereeing, carrying both experience and national pride into what promises to be another defining chapter of his career.