Dubai: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has revealed that five Indian match officials have been included on the FIFA International List of Match Officials for 2026, marking a significant milestone for India in the global football landscape.
Prominently featured among the newcomers is Rachana Kamani from Gujarat, who joins the ranks of female referees, representing the increasing presence of women in Indian football officiating. Ashwin Kumar from Puducherry and Aditya Purkayastha from Delhi have also made the list, a noteworthy achievement for both in their refereeing journeys.
In addition, Muralitharan Pandurangan (Puducherry) and Peter Christopher (Maharashtra) are appointed as assistant referees, showcasing India's comprehensive support across officiating roles. Both Ashwin Kumar and Aditya Purkayastha have completed the AFC Referee Academy course in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, designed for elite referees. Rachana Kamani is also currently engaged in this rigorous training program.
With these five latest inclusions, India now boasts 19 match officials on the FIFA International List for 2026, underscoring the nation’s dedication to developing high-caliber refereeing talent.
2026 FIFA World Cup Draw Highlights
The draw for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 took place at the John F. Kennedy Center, initiating preparations for this historic expanded tournament featuring 48 teams. Jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this edition is set to deliver an unrivaled number of matches and captivating group-stage showdowns.
Group C includes Morocco, Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, promising a competitive environment given Morocco's recent successes.
Group L features England and Croatia, along with Ghana and Panama, all aiming for advancement.
Group B might include Italy alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland, depending on playoff outcomes, presenting challenges for every team involved.
The opening match will set the stage for host Mexico facing off against South Africa, while Group A boasts South Korea and a playoff team from Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, or Ireland.
List of Current Indian Referees and Assistant Referees on FIFA List
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, Elangbam Debala Devi.
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