New Zealand and Egypt face each other in both sides’ second FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match on Sunday.
Both sides failed to win their previous matches, with New Zealand drawing 2–2 against Iran and Egypt drawing 1–1 against Belgium. This means that Group G still has all four teams on one point.
If this match ends with a win for both sides, it will notably be their first ever FIFA World Cup win.
Who will be the referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between New Zealand and Egypt?
The referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between New Zealand and Egypt has been announced as Emirati official Omar Al-Ali.
Al-Ali made his debut in the UAE Pro League in 2014 and became a regular official in the competition. A year after his debut, he was recognized by the Asian Football Confederation, where he refereed an international friendly match between Iraq and DR Congo in March 2015.
This will be Al-Ali’s first appearance at the World Cup. He will become only the second Emiratis to take on central refereeing duties in a FIFA World Cup match, after Ali Bujsaim, who refereed the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
In his career to date, the 38-year-old has officiated 219 matches, handing out 847 yellow cards (average 3.87 per match) and 70 red cards (average 0.32 per match).
Al-Ali’s most notable match of his career to date was undoubtedly the 2023/24 AFC Cup final, in which Central Coast Mariners defeated Al-Ahed 1-0. He also refereed a group stage match at the most recent AFC Asian Cup.
Full list of referees/match officials for New Zealand vs Egypt
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Referee: Omar Al-Ali
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Assistant referee 1: Mohamed Al-Hammadi
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Assistant referee 2: Taleb Al-Marri
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4th official: Kevin Ortega
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Reserve assistant referee: Michael Orue
Published on June 22, 2026
