Nigeria will finally have a centre referee at the FIFA U-17 World Cup after a long wait of 25 years. Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam, who hails from Zamfara, has been picked as one of the match officials for this year's tournament in Qatar.
The 34-year-old Abdulsalam is the only Nigerian centre referee on FIFA's list. He is also one of four referees chosen from Africa for the competition.
FIFA announced 81 officials for the tournament on their website on Thursday. This includes 27 referees and 54 assistant referees from 36 different member associations.
Abdulsalam's selection is significant as it is the first time in 25 years that a Nigerian centre referee will officiate at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
He has gained a lot of international experience. Abdulsalam has taken part in two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and several WAFU competitions.
His recent performances have earned him a big assignment. He is set to referee the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Cameroon and Comoros.
Abdulsalam became a FIFA-listed referee in 2022 and has kept his international badge through annual assessments.
He was also the only Nigerian referee chosen for the 2025 African Nations Championship.
Pierluigi Collina, the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, mentioned that the officials selected for the U-17 World Cup are among the best match officials.
Collina noted that the appointments were based on the officials' performances. He also highlighted their ability to work well in international teams and manage the challenges of a big tournament.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup will provide Abdulsalam with another chance to gain experience on the global stage and continue his growth as an international referee.
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