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ZIMBABWEAN referee Ruzive Ruzive was part of the enlarged group of referees who had been earmarked to be part of the match officials to handle the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia. However, the Harare-based referee failed to make the final list of six African referees who finally made the cut for the Russian showcase. Initial reports had appeared to suggest that Ruzive would be part of the seven referees from CAF who would be in Russia next year.

However, this was later revealed not to be true as Ruzive had not made the final short-list of six referees from the continent. Had he made the list, he would have made history for himself as the first Zimbabwean referee to take part in the FIFA World Cup. Reports said Ruzive was seventh on the list and the last to miss the cut.

Brighton Mudzamiri featured at the World Cup in 2002 as an assistant referee. Another local referee Nomore Matemera has been invited for a CHAN 2018 Candidate Referees’ course in Cairo from 27 Nov to Dec 1, 2017. Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe will be part of the officials in Russia. He handled the FIFA Confederation Cup final in Russia earlier this year.

The 36 match officials chosen by FIFA are to attend a World Cup seminar this month in Abu Dhabi, which will run from November 25 to 29. The final list stating specific roles will be announced once the use of video assistant referees (VARs) at the World Cup is approved by IFAB. Below is a list of the referees, countries they represent and year of birth.

Asian Confederation

1. Fahad Al Mirdasi (KSA, 1985)

2. Alireza Faghani (IRN, 1978)

3. Ravshan Irmatov (UZB, 1977)

4. Abdulla Mohamed (EAU, 1978)

5. Ryuji Sato (JPN, 1977)

6. Nawaf Shukralla (BHR, 1976)

CAF

1. Mehdi Abid Charef (ALG, 1980)

2. Malang Diedhiou (SEN, 1973)

3. Bakary Gassama (GAM, 1979)

4. Ghead Grisha (EGY, 1976)

5. Janny Sikazwe (ZAM, 1979)

6. Bamlak Tessema (ETH, 1980)

CONCACAF

1. Joel Aguilar (SLV, 1975)

2. Mark Geiger (USA, 1974)

3. Jair Marrufo (USA, 1977)

4. Ricardo Montero (CRC, 1986)

5. John Pitti (PAN, 1978)

6. Cesar Ramos (MEX, 1983)

CONMEBOL

1. Julio Bascunan (CHI, 1978)

2. Enrique Caceres (PAR, 1974)

3. Andres Cunha (URU, 1976)

4. Nestor Pitana (ARG, 1975)

5. Sandro Ricci (BRA, 1974)

6. Wilmar Roldan (COL, 1980)

OFC

1. Matthew Conger (NZL, 1978)

2. Norbert Hauata (TAH, 1979)

UEFA

1. Felix Brych (GER, 1975)

2. Cuneyt Cakir (TUR, 1976)

3. Sergei Karasev (RUS, 1979)

4. Bjorn Kuipers (NED, 1973)

5. Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP, 1977)

6. Szymon Marciniak (POL, 1981)

7. Milorad Mazic (SRB, 1973)

8. Gianluca Rocchi (ITA, 1973)

9. Damir Skomina (SVN, 1976)

10. Clement Turpin (FRA, 1982)