Jalal Jayed Appointed for Key World Cup Match
In a significant development for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed has been appointed to officiate the pivotal Group K match between Uzbekistan and Portugal. This encounter, set for June 23, promises to be crucial for Uzbekistan's aspirations to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament. Following a challenging start with a 3-1 defeat against Colombia, Uzbekistan, under the guidance of their coach Fabio Cannavaro, must secure a positive outcome against Portugal to keep their qualification hopes alive. Meanwhile, Portugal will also be looking to improve their standing after a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match.
Jayed will be supported by a skilled officiating team consisting of fellow Moroccan referees Zakaria Brinsi and Mostafa Akarkad. Additionally, officials Abongile Tom and Zakhele Siwela from South Africa will serve as the fourth and reserve assistant referees, respectively. Known for his extensive experience in international competitions, Jayed is among Morocco's premier FIFA-listed referees. Notably, his officiating team has already been involved in a World Cup match earlier in the tournament, where they oversaw Germany's victory over Curaçao in Group E.
The match is set to commence at 22:00 Tashkent time on June 23, and it is expected to draw considerable attention given the stakes involved for both teams. As the competition intensifies, fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how this game unfolds.
As reported by uz.kursiv.media.
