ZURICH: FIFA has named the 52 match officials – 12 referees, 24 assistants and 16 VARs – from 27 countries and all six confederations for the Arab Cup in Qatar which serves as an organisational warm-up for next year’s World Cup.

European appointees are Poland’s Szymon Marciniak and Germany’s Daniel Siebert while Latin American nominees are Argentina’s Facundo Tello, Wilton Sampaio (Brazil), Andres Matonte (Uruguay) plus Mexico’s Fernando Hernandez Gomes and Said Martinez.

The tournament kicks off on Tuesday, November 30, with Tunisia facing Mauritania at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

Hosts Qatar open their campaign the same day against Bahrain at Al Bayt. The inaugural FIFA Arab Cup will conclude with the final on Saturday, December 18, also at Al Bayt.

The officials appointed by the FIFA referees committee will be monitored and supported before and during the competition by a team of technical specialists, including FIFA referee and video match official instructors, fitness coaches, physiotherapists, and sports scientists.

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