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Five Indian Officials Join FIFA 2026 List, Marking Historic Rise in Global Football

Five Indian match officials have been added to the FIFA International List for 2026, including Rachana Kamani, Ashwin Kumar, and Aditya Purkayastha. This brings the total number of Indian officials on the list to 19, reflecting significant growth in the country's football officiating standards. Several officials have also completed the AFC Referee Academy course, enhancing their skills for international tournaments. This milestone underscores India's rising influence in global football governance and development.

Key Points: Indian Match Officials on FIFA 2026 List: A Milestone for Football

  • Five new Indian officials added
  • 19 total Indians on FIFA 2026 list
  • Officials completed AFC Referee Academy
  • Includes referees and assistant referees
  • Historic growth in India's football officiating
2 min read

Five Indians join FIFA list of match officials for year 2026

Five Indian match officials added to FIFA's 2026 list, boosting India's presence in global football officiating. Discover the names and their journey.

"As many as 19 match officials from India are a part of the FIFA list for 2026. – FIFA International List"

New Delhi, Dec 31

Five more Indian match officials have been added to the FIFA International List of Match Officials for 2026. Rachana Kamani, along with Ashwin Kumar and Aditya Purkayastha, have been added to the FIFA list of women and men referees, respectively.

Meanwhile, Muralitharan Pandurangan (Puducherry) and Peter Christopher (Maharashtra) have been inducted as Assistant Referees. Ashwin Kumar and Aditya Purkayestha, along with making the FIFA list, have also completed their AFC Referee Academy course in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Rachana Kamani is currently undergoing the same course. As many as 19 match officials from India are a part of the FIFA list for 2026.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was conducted at the John F. Kennedy Center, setting the stage for the first 48-team edition of football's biggest tournament. With expanded group formats and an unprecedented number of matches across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the draw ceremony delivered several headline-grabbing clashes.

Morocco, the surprise package of the last World Cup, has been drawn with Brazil in Group C, putting Scotland and Haiti in the group under significant pressure.

England and Croatia find themselves together in Group L, a pairing of two sides widely considered capable of challenging for the title. For Ghana and Panama, progressing from this group will be a major challenge.

If Italy advances through the European play-offs, it will join Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B. Which teams will advance from this group remains highly uncertain.

In the opening match of the tournament, Mexico will face South Africa on home soil. South Korea is also in Group A, alongside the winner of the play-off between Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, and Ireland.

Indians in the FIFA International list of match officials 2026:

Referees: Venkatesh R., Harish Kundu, Senthil Nathan Sekaran, Crystal John, Ashwin Kumar, Aditya Purkayastha, Ranjita Devi Tekcham, Rachana Hasmukhbhai Kamani.

Assistant referees: Vairamuthu Parasuraman, Sumanta Dutta, Arun Sasidharan Pillai, Ujjal Halder, Muralitharan Pandurangan, Dipesh Manohar Sawant, Sourav Sarkar, Christopher Peter, Riiohlang Dhar, and Elangbam Debala Devi.

Futsal referee: Vishal Mahendrabhai Vaja

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Great step forward. But let's be honest, the real dream is to see the Indian national team qualify for the World Cup. Our officials are making it, now our players need to step up. The focus should remain on improving grassroots football.
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Sarah B
As a football fan living in India, this is encouraging. Having 19 officials in total is impressive. It brings more credibility. Hope they get to officiate in some big matches during the 2026 World Cup.
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Vikram M
Congratulations to all! Ashwin and Aditya completing the AFC course is a big deal. This kind of behind-the-scenes progress is what builds a strong football ecosystem. More power to them!
R
Rohit P
Good to see representation from different states like Puducherry and Maharashtra. Football is truly a pan-India sport now. Jai Hind!
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Michael C
While this is positive, I hope the AIFF ensures these officials get consistent high-level match practice in the ISL and I-League. Being on the list is one thing, maintaining top form is another. The federation must support them properly.

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