08-03-2025
Omani referee nominates to Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2025
MUSCAT: Oman's intentional referee, Falah al Balushi, has been nominated to officiate in Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025, scheduled to be held in Seychelles from May 1 to 11, 2025 in Victoria, Mahé island. The 16 qualified teams will be drawn into four groups of four. The two in each group will reach the knockout phase in which quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place play-off and final will ensue. Oman beach soccer team is among the Asian teams which will vie for spot in the World Cup during the AFC Asian qualifiers in Thailand during March 20 to 30.
The selection of Oman's umpire Falah al Balushi marks a significant milestone in his refereeing career fulfiling a long held ambition to be part of the sport's most prestigious global event.
'Definitely for any referee, officiating at the world's biggest tournament is the ultimate goal from the moment they earn their international badge. As I had received my Fifa referee badge in 2016, my focus has been on setting clear goals and working tirelessly to achieve them. This selection is a testament to years of effort, dedication and continuous development including technically and physically," said Falah.
Falah will appear for the first time ever in the upcoming Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup and will be available on the grand stage as a reward for his commitment to the profession.
Omani referee nominates to Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2025
Key Milestones
'I used to be an active umpire and involved in various tournaments under the Oman Football Association umbrella. Since obtaining the international referee badge in 2016, I could manage to build up an impressive portfolio of officiating experiences at local, regional and international levels,' he added
'My main referring stations were in Arab Tournaments including the Arab Beach Soccer Championship in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and another significant event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. At the regional championships, I had officiated in two Oceania Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifiers as the first was in Tahiti in 2022 and then in the Solomon Islands last year. In the Asian Competitions, I took part as an official umpire in the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup & World Cup Qualifiers for four times including this year qualifiers which are set to begin on March 20 in Thailand. My accompanying referee from Oman Zakariya al Hinai will join me in this Asian assignment,' he said
'I attended in several International events to extend my experience to globally recognised championships including the Intercontinental Cup in Dubai and the prestigious Neom International Tournament in Saudi Arabia,' he added
Talented referees
'Oman has many talented referees and with the right exposure, they can achieve great success on the international stage. The media support for Omani referees is very crucial as it will support them in advocating for greater recognition of their efforts. My attendance at the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 is not a personal achievement but a testament to the growing presence of Omani officials in global football,' he ended
