Hailing from the United Arab Emirates, Omar Al Ali’s appointment comes after years of proving his mettle as one of Asia’s most reliable match officials.

A graduate of the AFC’s Project Future, the 38-year-old has blown the whistle in five editions of the AFC Champions League Elite™ and three editions of the erstwhile AFC Cup™.

The Sharjah-born official’s career has been on a steady upward trajectory marked with notable achievements in the recent past, including his debut at the AFC Asian Cup™ in 2023, while later in the year, he notably officiated the Quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023.

 

Being selected for my first FIFA World Cup is truly a proud and emotional moment for me. Every referee dreams of reaching this stage, but I also know that it comes through years of hard work, discipline, and continuous learning. I always believed in my abilities and worked towards this goal, but receiving the official appointment was still a very special feeling. It means a lot not only to me personally, but also to my family, my colleagues, and everyone who supported me throughout my journey.

 

 

Preparations have been very intensive and professional. We have been focusing on physical fitness, match analysis, communication, teamwork, and understanding the latest interpretations of the Laws of the Game. I have also been reviewing game situations and working on mental preparation because decision-making at this level requires full concentration. Before the tournament starts, the focus will be on maintaining peak fitness, continuous technical preparations, and making sure I am mentally ready for the pressure and expectations of the World Cup.

 

 

I believe discipline, consistency, concentration, teamwork, and confidence are the most important factors. At the World Cup level, every detail matters, so staying calm under pressure and making accurate decisions is essential. Good communication with the referees’ team and strong preparation before each match are also important factors. Mentally, it is important to stay focused only on the game and perform with confidence and professionalism.

 

I think it clearly reflects the significant progress and high standards of refereeing in Asia. The AFC has invested heavily in referee development through education, seminars, the latest use of technologies, and international exposure. Asian referees are now consistently performing at the highest international levels, and this recognition shows that refereeing in Asia is respected globally. It also drives a motivation for the next generation of referees across the continent.

 

 

The AFC has provided tremendous support in many areas, including education programmes, fitness programmes, technical training, seminars, and regular exposure to international competitions. The guidance from instructors and assessors has helped me improve both technically and mentally, and the opportunities to officiate high-level matches across Asia have also given me valuable experience and confidence. All this support has played a major role in my development as a referee.

 

 

My main goal is to perform at the highest possible standards and represent my country and the AFC with pride. I want to contribute positively to the tournament by making fair and accurate decisions while maintaining consistency in every match. Personally, I hope to gain valuable experience from this World Cup and continue improving as a referee. Most importantly, I want to leave the tournament knowing that I gave my absolute best in every moment on and off the field.