Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala has been omitted from the list of officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, months after his controversial handling of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Ndala officiated the heated clash between Senegal national football team and Morocco national football team—a match that descended into chaos following a disputed penalty decision. The situation escalated when Senegal players walked off the pitch, with Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missing the resulting penalty before a dramatic late goal from Pape Gueye.

The controversy deepened after Morocco successfully appealed the result, leading CAF’s Appeals Jury to award a 3-0 victory in their favor in March. The case has since progressed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, keeping the dispute firmly in the spotlight.

In contrast, FIFA’s final list of referees for the 2026 tournament—set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—features strong representation from Brazil, including officials like Ramon Abatti Abel.

Africa will still have a presence, with referees such as Mustapha Ghorbal, Pierre Atcho, Amin Mohamed, Jalal Jayed, Dahane Beida, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, and Abongile Tom making the cut.

However, Ndala’s absence stands out, with many linking his omission to the fallout from the AFCON final in Rabat. Despite efforts by Patrice Motsepe to ease tensions, the controversy continues to cast a long shadow.

As African football reflects on the incident, Ndala’s exclusion highlights the lasting impact of high-stakes decisions and the fine margins that define careers at the highest level.