Portugal begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo, with Cristiano Ronaldo looking to make a picture perfect start in what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance.
Managed by Roberto Martínez, Portugal arrive at the tournament with one of the strongest squads in the competition. With a mix of experienced players and upcoming talent, they are considered by fans to be among the teams capable of challenging for the title.
As Portugal and Congo prepare to meet in their opening Group K fixture, here is a look at the match officials who are going to be involved in the game.
Who Is the Referee In Portugal vs. DR Congo?
Abdulrahman Al-Jassim of Qatar has been appointed as the referee for the Group K match between Portugal and Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston.
An experienced official in the Asia region, Al-Jassim has been involved in FIFA competitions for several years.
He served as a Video Match Official at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia before taking charge of matches on the field at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
He was also selected to referee the third-place playoff between Croatia and Morocco at that tournament.
At club level, Al-Jassim regularly officiates in the Qatar Stars League and the AFC Champions League Elite. During the 2025-26 season, he issued 104 yellow cards across 20 matches.
The full officiating team for the match is as follows:
- Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
- Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar)
- Assistant Referee 2: Saoud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar)
- Fourth Official: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Zakhele Siwela (South Africa)
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
