My family and children are the secret of my success in the 2026 World Cup

Football referee Mohammed Obaid Khadem, who participated as a video referee in the 2026 World Cup, confirmed his pride in participating in this global event and representing the UAE within the Emirati refereeing team, which also included arena referee Omar Al Ali and assistant referee Mohammed Ahmed Youssef.

Muhammad Obaid considered that the presence of the Emirati crew in international forums confirms the quality and excellence of Emirati governance, pointing out that his family and children represent the secret of his success and brilliance, thanks to the great support they provided him throughout his career in the field of arbitration.

Muhammad Obaid told Emirates Al-Youm: “I feel very happy to represent my country among the Emirati refereeing team in one of the largest global tournaments, which is the World Cup. My participation in this event is the culmination of a long career in arbitration that has spanned nearly 20 years.

Although the responsibility was very great, the refereeing team went to the World Cup to enjoy participating and provide the best refereeing performance.

He added: “The presence of the Emirati refereeing team among the world’s elite referees, and officiating matches for large international teams that include international players and stars in a tournament followed by the largest television channels and international media, enhances our confidence in our refereeing capabilities.”

He pointed out that his participation in officiating nine matches during the tournament represents an important achievement, explaining: “It is not easy for any referee to be present in matches of major teams in the world, but despite this, the Emirati refereeing team excelled in the tournament, and I am very happy to participate in managing nine matches.”

Mohamed Obaid explained that the match between the Egyptian and New Zealand national teams will remain stuck in his memory, after he participated in it as an assistant referee for video technology, within a crew led by arena referee Omar Al Ali, with the participation of Mohamed Ahmed Youssef as an assistant referee, noting that the distinguished refereeing performance of the crew made the match a special station for him.

He revealed that he is always keen to enjoy his local and continental participations, and to impose his refereeing style away from psychological pressures, considering that the correct and strong foundation of any football referee represents the basis of success in the future, with increased acquisition of experience.

Muhammad Obaid stressed his keenness to transfer the refereeing knowledge and experiences he acquired during his participation in the World Cup to his fellow referees, and to benefit from them at the local level.

Mohamed Obaid participated in managing nine matches during the tournament, where he was an assistant referee for video technology in the matches of Egypt and New Zealand, Haiti and Scotland, Argentina and Algeria, Tunisia and the Netherlands, South Africa and the Czech Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Colombia, and England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in addition to participating as a reserve referee for video technology in the matches of Morocco and France, and England and Norway.