Four high-profile Qatari match officials will take charge of the 2025/2026 Malaysia Cup final between JDT and Kuching City FC.
FOUR high-profile Qatari match officials will take charge of the 2025/2026 Malaysia Cup final between defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Kuching City FC at Bukit Jalil National Stadium this Saturday.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) named the officials as Mohammed Ahmed Al Shammari (referee), Yousuf Aref Al Shamari and Khaled Aiad Khalaf (assistant referees 1 and 2), and Meshari Ali Alshamari (video assistant referee). All four are FIFA-accredited and elite referees of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
“These officials are no strangers to big matches. They have handled major tournaments, including the FIFA Under-17 World Cup and the Qatar Emir Cup final, proving their experience and credibility in managing high-intensity games,” FAM said in a statement today.
FAM added that the foreign appointments followed an official request from the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to secure the best referees for the prestigious 99th edition of the final.
With the Malaysia Cup final remaining the pinnacle of the nation’s football calendar, FAM is committed to ensuring every aspect, including officiating, meets the highest standards befitting Malaysia’s oldest and most prestigious football tournament.
FAM previously appointed foreign officials for the 2019 FA Cup final between Perak and Kedah at the same venue, featuring Japanese referee Takuto Okabe, assisted by Akane Yagi and Osamu Nomura.
