Algerian official Mustapha Ghorbal gets the whistle for Scotland's first World Cup match in 28 years.
Scotland’s long-awaited return to the World Cup just got a little more real. FIFA has appointed Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal to officiate the nation’s Group C opener against Haiti, a match that will mark Scotland’s first appearance on the sport’s biggest stage since 1998.
The fixture is set to take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as part of the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted across North America.
Who is Mustapha Ghorbal?
Ghorbal has been on FIFA’s international referee list since 2014, giving him over a decade of experience at the highest levels of the game. The Algerian official has built his reputation through work at major continental tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
His appointment to this match reflects FIFA’s continued commitment to including African referees in its flagship tournament. Details regarding assistant referees and VAR officials for the match have not yet been disclosed.
Scotland’s 28-year wait
The 1998 tournament in France was the last time Scotland fans experienced the particular agony and ecstasy of watching their team on the global stage.
Scotland’s path through Group C includes Morocco, who reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, and Brazil. Haiti completes the quartet.
The match is scheduled for mid-June 2026, with the specific date falling around June 13-14. Foxborough sits just outside Boston, and the venue is home to the New England Patriots and New England Revolution.
What this means for both sides
The expanded 48-team format, which FIFA introduced for 2026, has fundamentally changed the math of World Cup qualification. The appointment confirmation was reported around June 8-10, 2026.
