Said al Amri becomes first Omani to earn FIFAe referee certification

MUSCAT, MAY 8

Oman’s Said al Amri achieved a historic milestone after successfully completing the FIFAe Referee Certification Programme to become the first Omani officially certified as a FIFAe referee. The certification marks an important step for Oman’s growing esports sector and reflects the increasing regional interest in professional electronic football competitions organised under FIFAe, the esports division of Fifa.

Through the programme, Al Amri successfully mastered the fundamentals of FIFAe officiating, including competition rules, decision-making procedures, match operations and the professional standards required to ensure fair and consistent competition across the FIFAe ecosystem.

Speaking after receiving the certification, Al Amri expressed his pride at becoming the first Omani to achieve the international recognition.

“I am very pleased to become the first Omani to earn this certification. It is an important achievement for me personally and I hope it will encourage more Omanis to join and become certified FIFAe referees in the future”, he said.

He explained that the programme was organised directly under FIFAe as part of Fifa's wider efforts to develop esports competitions and strengthen the professional standards of officiating in digital football events.

“This certification will allow me to officiate at regional, continental and international FIFAe events. It will open the door to participate in major esports tournaments and contribute professionally to the development of the game”, Al Amri added.

The FIFAe ecosystem witnessed major growth in recent years, especially following the launch of the FIFAe Nations League 2026, a new national-team-based competition that officially began in April 2026. The tournament will include both console and mobile divisions and is expected to feature several stages, including regional qualifiers, a league phase and finals later this year. The competition is considered one of the most important current FIFAe projects, as Fifa and Konami continue to develop a national-team-centred esports structure instead of club-based competitions.

FIFAe WORLD CUP 2026

Oman is also preparing to participate in the upcoming FIFAe World Cup 2026 featuring eFootball, where the Sultanate of Oman team will compete in several categories, including Rocket League, eFootball Mobile and eFootball Console.

Al Amri’s achievement comes at a time when esports continue to gain popularity among young athletes in Oman and across the Gulf region. The certification is expected to inspire more Omani talents to explore opportunities in esports management, officiating and professional competition. With esports becoming an increasingly recognised international sporting platform, Oman’s presence through qualified referees and national participation reflects the country’s ambition to establish a stronger role in the rapidly developing digital sports industry. Al Amri concluded his statement by emphasising the importance of continuous learning and international exposure. “The professional officiating requires discipline, deep understanding of regulations and the ability to make quick and fair decisions under pressure”.