AFCON 2025: CAF brings fantastic news for Algeria! | OneFootball

CAF – AFCON 2025: Algeria in the spotlight ahead of the tournament!

AFCON 2025: CAF brings fantastic news for Algeria!

With less than two months to go before the kick-off of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the official list of referees selected for the tournament has been unveiled. And Algeria will be particularly well represented, with six international referees chosen for this prestigious competition.

Recognition of Algeria’s elite officiating

This selection is a testament to the high standard of Algerian refereeing on the continental stage. Among the chosen are Mustapha Ghorbal and Youcef Gamouh, two top referees renowned for their discipline and experience. Joining them are assistant referees Akram Abbes Zerhouni, Mokrane Gourari, and Adel Abane, while Lahlou Benbraham will represent the country in the VAR referees category.

Their presence among Africa’s elite comes as no surprise. Mustapha Ghorbal, in particular, has established himself over the years as one of the continent’s most respected officials, taking charge of matches in both the CAF Champions League and the World Cup. This selection is a reward for the skill, consistency, and professionalism of Algeria’s refereeing corps.

CAF’s comprehensive officiating team

In total, the CAF referees committee has selected 33 main referees, 36 assistants, and 11 video referees, all of whom will be supported by a team of instructors and a top-level technical staff. A preparatory training camp will be held in the coming weeks to harmonize decision-making, fine-tune on-field communication, and ensure top-class officiating throughout the tournament.

AFCON 2025, set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, already promises to deliver top-tier action. For Algeria, the presence of six officials both on the pitch and in the VAR room once again confirms its status as a powerhouse of African football—not only on the field, but also in the realm of elite refereeing.