Morocco will host the 2025 FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup a major event marking the first time an African country hosts the tournament. Despite this, not a single Moroccan referee or assistant referee appears on FIFA’s official list of match officials for the event. This decision surprised many fans and officials in Morocco, raising questions about fairness and recognition.
Morocco’s Role as Host Overshadowed by Referee Appointments
Hosting the tournament, Morocco will welcome teams from 24 countries to cities like Rabat and Salé between October 17 and November 8, 2025. Yet FIFA’s Referees Committee selected 54 match officials 18 referees and 36 assistants from across the world but none from the host country.
Morocco’s strong preparation and investment in women’s football and refereeing over recent years made the exclusion all the more .
Fans Question is FIFA’s Neutral Selection Policy ?
Following the announcement, many Moroccans, including referees and sports commentators, expressed disappointment and concern. They argued that hosting the tournament should naturally come with at least some representation in officiating. While FIFA insists on neutrality and diversity in its selections, critics say neglecting hosts undermines opportunities for local officials to gain experience and be part of the event.
Several African football experts weighed in, describing the absence of Moroccan officials as a missed moment to promote African referees on home turf and questioning FIFA’s criteria for selection.
Africa Still Well Represented, Though Hosts Excluded
Despite Morocco’s lack of appointed referees, other African countries did receive representation. Two African referees such as Kenya’s Josephine Wanjiru and Mauritania’s Yacine Samassa appear on the official list, along with various assistant referees from countries including Egypt, Rwanda, Burundi, and Senegal. This included strong female officiating presence from across the continent.
Still, observers noted that Morocco, as both host nation and investment leader in women’s refereeing, deserved at least some slots in the officiating team.
In the long term, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and FIFA may need to work more closely to ensure hosts receive balanced opportunities and that experienced Moroccan officials continue to progress. It would support the growth of women referees in Morocco and signal genuine commitment to capacity-building.
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