Referee Nazmi Nasaruddin mominated as FIFA World Cup 2026 candidate

Malaysian football referee Muhammad Nazmi Nasaruddin has been chosen to participate in the ‘FIFA World Cup Candidate 2026’ course, positioning him as a prime candidate to officiate at the prestigious FIFA World Cup 2026 scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Nazmi, who embarked on his refereeing career in 2010, has marked his name in history as the first Malaysian official to preside over Asian Champions League (ACL) matches utilizing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. This achievement was realized during the clash between Buriram United and Zhejiang FC on September 20, 2023, in Thailand.

Nazmi and team shine on the continental stage

In the course of 2023, Nazmi, along with his assistants Mohamad Zairul Khalil Tan and Mohd Arif Shamil Abd Rasid, officiated six ACL matches employing VAR. Their expertise extended to the AFC Asian Cup 2023, where they oversaw two significant matches: Iraq vs Vietnam and Uzbekistan vs Thailand.

The journey to obtaining the VAR license began when the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), adhering to FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regulations, initiated expedited VAR training programs. The close ties between FAM President Datuk Haji Hamidin Haji Mohd Amin and Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) President Yasser Al-Misehal paved the way for Nazmi to acquire the VAR license in Saudi Arabia, making him the first recognized VAR referee in Malaysia by FIFA in August 2023.

Furthermore, Nazmi’s outstanding performance as the referee in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2023 in Uzbekistan, where he officiated the final, earned him and his assistants the opportunity to preside over matches in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar.

The trio’s impressive selection for group stage matches – Iraq vs Vietnam and the Round of 16 clash between Uzbekistan and Thailand – showcased their proficiency, leading to FIFA and AFC’s acknowledgment. Nazmi’s merit-based selection as a ‘FIFA World Cup Candidate 2026’ underscores his excellence in officiating.

Intensive training and evaluation

Nazmi is set to join the ‘FIFA World Cup Candidate 2026’ course scheduled from February 25 to 29, 2024, in Qatar. His journey towards the World Cup includes ongoing evaluations through various FIFA and AFC courses, along with officiating matches organized by both federations, emphasizing the merit-based selection process for the 2026 World Cup.

FAM President Datuk Haji Hamidin expressed unwavering commitment to supporting Nazmi’s quest, emphasizing the organization’s dedication to providing training, planning, and expert assistance to ensure Malaysia’s first-ever primary referee at the FIFA World Cup achieves success. This historic opportunity underscores FAM’s commitment to developing and showcasing Malaysian talent on the global football stage.