The 2026 FIFA World Cup is upon us, with the opening game in Mexico City between Mexico and South Africa scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on June 11. That will be the first of two games on Friday, the second of which will see South Korea take on Czechia in Guadalajara at 10 p.m. ET.

The big kickoff is now so close that FIFA has announced the referee assignments for the games being played on June 11 and 12.

While World Cup fans may be familiar with Wilton Sampaio, the Brazilian official selected to take charge of the opening game, they may not recognize Amin Mohamed Omar, the Egyptian referee who will be in the middle for South Korea vs. Czechia.

Who is Amin Omar?

On a regular weekend, you’ll find 40-year-old Omar in the Egyptian Premier League, where he has refereed 188 games since 2013, according to Transfermarkt.

Omar has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2017, although he will be making his first appearance at the World Cup in this year’s tournament. He does, however, have experience officiating at the highest level in Africa, taking charge of eight Africa Cup of Nations games between 2019 and 2025, as well as 13 CAF Champions League fixtures since 2018.

Referee crew for South Korea vs. Czechia

Three fellow Egyptians will join Omar for the World Cup Group A clash in Guadalajara. Mahmoud Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Taha will serve as assistant referees on the sidelines, while Mahmoud Ashour is the lead video assistant referee (VAR).

Costa Rica’s Juan Calderón has been appointed fourth official, while Joe Dickerson of the United States is the assistant VAR, with Italy’s Marco Di Bello serving as support VAR for the match.

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