Doha: Vice Chairman of FIFA's referees committee Hani Taleb Ballan stated that Qatari officials continue to bolster their presence at the world's most significant sporting events, reflecting Qatar's growing influence not only in hosting major tournaments but also in contributing to the governance of international sport through national professionals serving in senior leadership roles.
According to Qatar News Agency, Ballan highlighted that Qatar's role has evolved beyond merely hosting tournaments to becoming an essential partner in their management and organization. He attributed this transformation to years of investment in human capital, emphasizing that Qatar had long understood that developing people was fundamental to success. Consequently, Qatari officials now participate in a wide range of organizational, technical, and refereeing committees within both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Ballan noted that this international presence had been earned through competence, experience, and the ability to deliver results, rather than through favoritism. He described it as a source of pride while also increasing the responsibility to maintain those standards.
In addition to his role as Vice Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Ballan serves as Chairman of the AFC Referees Committee, Chairman of the Referees Committee of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation, and Chairman of the Qatar Football Association's Referees Committee.
Discussing the participation of the Qatari refereeing team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ballan expressed pride in their performances and emphasized that reaching the World Cup was no longer an anomaly for Qatari referees but the natural outcome of years of development. He stated that the Qatari officiating team had consistently demonstrated over recent years that it ranks among the world's top refereeing crews, fully deserving to officiate at football's premier tournaments. Participation in the World Cup had become an expected achievement for Qatari referees, thanks to the efforts of the officials themselves, the referees committee, and the Qatar Football Association.
Ballan praised the performances delivered by the Qatari referees, noting that they had officiated their matches with a high level of competence and professionalism, continuing the standards they had set at previous FIFA World Cups, AFC Asian Cups, and other international competitions.
He also highlighted the appointment of international referee Khamis Al Marri to the officiating team for the World Cup final as another historic milestone for Qatari refereeing. Ballan said Al Marri's selection for the final represented recognition of the entire Qatari refereeing system and was well deserved based on his outstanding performances throughout the tournament.
Regarding Qatar's national team, Ballan expressed satisfaction with the team's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing qualification itself as an important milestone for Qatari football.
He noted that the achievement reflected the country's continued presence among the world's leading national teams. While expressing the hope that Qatar could have achieved better results, he acknowledged that football is full of challenges and emphasized that the most important outcome was gaining experience that would benefit the team in future competitions.
He stated that the Qatari national team possesses the foundations needed to continue its development and said participation in tournaments of this scale represents an important investment in the future.
Ballan also praised the support shown by Qatari fans during the World Cup, describing it as one of the tournament's major successes because it projected a positive image of Qatar and its people.
He mentioned that Qatari supporters had represented their country in an exemplary manner and served as outstanding ambassadors. Ballan noted that he had received positive feedback from officials, media representatives, and fans worldwide, praising the supporters' respectful behavior, discipline, and organization. He added that such conduct was consistent with the long-standing reputation of Qatari fans, who have always supported their national team under all circumstances.
Discussing the referees' preparation program before the World Cup, Ballan explained that the FIFA Referees Committee had ensured that match officials were prepared according to the highest technical and physical standards to guarantee their readiness for the tournament. He noted that upon arrival, the referees underwent a final nine-day preparation program during which they were divided into two groups: one for on-field referees and another for video assistant referees (VAR).
Ballan mentioned that the preparation process continued throughout the tournament rather than ending with the opening match. He stated that the daily program focused particularly on the officials assigned to upcoming fixtures through intensive practical training sessions, complemented by tactical briefings with specialist instructors analyzing the playing styles of participating teams. This preparation, he added, helped referees improve their positioning, movement, anticipation, and decision-making during matches.