First Qatari Referee to Be Part of a World Cup Final Officiating Team: Khamis Al-Marri Speaks to Doha News

Qatar has achieved another milestone in international football officiating with Khamis Al-Marri's appointment as support VAR for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. This appointment follows Abdulrahman Al Jassim's 2022 achievement, when he became the first Qatari referee to officiate at a World Cup, managing the third-place play-off between Croatia and Morocco.

Al-Marri described the experience of entering the final as emotionally complex, balancing joy with determination to perform at the highest level. He emphasized the intensity of focus required, noting his commitment to excelling in the match and supporting colleagues both in the VAR room and on the field.

When discussing guidance for aspiring Qatari referees, Al-Marri stressed the importance of perseverance and resilience. He advised young officials to maintain effort despite obstacles and mistakes, cautioning against abandonment of goals at the first setback.

Al-Marri acknowledged the significant role of institutional support from the Qatar Football Association and the Referees Committee in enabling local officials to reach elite international competitions. However, he underscored that organizational backing alone cannot substitute for individual performance excellence. He noted that high-level personal performance must complement institutional support for officials to advance to major tournaments.

Al-Marri expressed optimism that continued support from the Qatar Football Association and Referees Committee would create pathways for additional Qatari referees to reach World Cup finals, potentially including field referees in future tournaments.