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FIFA World Cup
Ahead of their campaign on the world’s grandest stage, the-AFC.com caught up with the officials who will be blowing the whistle in the 2026 edition of the global showpiece.
Mohammed Obaid Khadim at a glance
Another debutant at the FIFA World Cup 2026, the United Arab Emirates’ Khadim will serve as one of the 30 Video Match Officials (VMOs) appointed to the competition.
The 41-year-old has been a consistent presence in the AFC’s competitions over the years, including the AFC Champions League Elite™ in the past three seasons , as well as the AFC Champions League Two in 2025/26 and 2024/25™.
He also officiated in back-to-back editions of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ in 2024 and 2026, besides being appointed to multiple matches in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™.
This is your first ever FIFA World Cup assignment. Did you expect it, and what does it mean to you?
I didn’t expect it but based on the excellent performances we delivered as a team in the previous matches, I was very optimistic. It means a lot to me, and I am so proud of my country, my family, my domestic football association, and the AFC for giving me the opportunity to represent them in one of the biggest football tournaments in the world.
How have preparations been so far? What other preparations are remaining for you before the tournament starts?
The preparations are going well and not much remains to do. But to lead matches effectively during the tournaments, we need to be prepared for everything that comes our way.
In your opinion, what are the most important factors in order for you to perform to your best at the World Cup?
It is very important to be committed to our learning off the field and to absorb advice from instructors. On the field, I draw on my experience to work as a team and act responsibly.
This World Cup features the largest number of AFC match officials at a World Cup – what do you think it reflects about the standards of refereeing in Asia?
This reflects how hard the AFC has been working. Everyone has put in a lot of effort into developing and improving the refereeing ecosystem in Asia to ensure the nurturing of quality referees who can perform at the highest level.
Personally, what kind of support has the AFC provided to referees and how has that helped you become a better referee?
The support that I received from the AFC ranges from attending different workshops, tournaments and the opportunity to lead various matches on the Continental stage. This has helped me to become a better referee with enough experience and self-confidence.
Finally, what do you hope to achieve or what expectations do you have for yourself at the upcoming World Cup?
I would like to use the experience that I gained through the AFC and hope that it will help me to reach the final stages of the tournament.
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