FIFA Will Replace Referees for Benin vs. Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Benin Republic and Nigeria, which is scheduled to take place at the
Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the Ivorian capital on Monday, June 10, 2024, has had adjustments made to the officiating squad by FIFA.
The Ethiopian official Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, who was initially assigned to officiate the match, has been sent packing due to the
modifications and Pierre Ghislain Atcho, a Gabonese official, will take over as referee in his instead.
Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizaw Belachew, Weyesa’s countrymen, have been kept on as assistant referees 1 and 2,
respectively. Tewodros Mitiku, an additional Ethiopian who had previously been named the fourth official, has been removed and Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma has taken his place.
The Day 4 match takes place just three days after the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana will clash at the Godswill
Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Day 3. The original referee assessor, match commissioner, and security officer all keep their positions.
