Houston: FIFA's Referees Committee has appointed Qatari referee Khamis Al Marri as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the Portugal vs. DR Congo match, scheduled for Wednesday at Houston Stadium in the United States as part of Group 11 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match will be officiated by a Qatari refereeing team led by international referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim, reflecting the continued confidence in Qatari refereeing expertise on the global stage.

According to Qatar News Agency, the announced appointments include Al Jassim serving as referee, assisted by Taleb Salem Al Marri and Saoud Ahmed. South Africa's Abongile Tom has been named fourth official, with Zakhele Siwela serving as reserve assistant referee, while Khamis Al Marri will oversee VAR duties.

The appointment extends the strong presence of Qatari referees at major international tournaments following a series of successful appearances at FIFA World Cups, AFC Asian Cups, and other continental and international competitions.