Scotland’s long-awaited return to the World Cup just got a little more real. FIFA has appointed Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal to officiate the nation’s Group C opener against Haiti, a match that will mark Scotland’s first appearance on the sport’s biggest stage since 1998.
The fixture is set to take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as part of the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted across North America.
Who is Mustapha Ghorbal?
Ghorbal has been on FIFA’s international referee list since 2014, giving him over a decade of experience at the highest levels of the game. The Algerian official has built his reputation through work at major continental tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
His appointment to this match reflects FIFA’s continued commitment to including African referees in its flagship tournament. Details regarding assistant referees and VAR officials for the match have not yet been disclosed.
