A Qatari refereeing crew is set to officiate Saturday’s 2026 Malaysia Cup final, Qatar News Agency reported on May 22. The crew features Mohammed Al Shammari as referee, with Yousef Aref Al Shammari and Khalid Ayed Khalaf as assistants and Mishari Al Shammari as VAR, for the matchup between Johor Darul Ta’zim and Kuching City. The selection demonstrates continued Asian confidence in the quality of Qatari refereeing.
The Qatar News Agency report noted that the appointment underscores the strong reputation Qatari referees have earned in continental and international competitions. Qatari officials have increasingly been selected for major events across Asia in recent years. This latest assignment further cements Qatar’s role as a key contributor to football development in the region.
According to the report, the Malaysia Cup stands as one of Asia’s oldest football tournaments, having been first held in 1921. Originally known as the Malaya Cup until its renaming in 1967, the competition has a rich history that includes participation from state teams, military sides and later club outfits. Data compiled by the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation shows Selangor leading all clubs with 33 titles while Johor Darul Ta’zim has secured multiple victories in recent editions.
Johor Darul Ta’zim, seeking to add to its tally of six Malaysia Cup titles, faced Kuching City in the final held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on May 23, 2026. The Star newspaper reported that the match concluded with a 2-0 victory for Johor Darul Ta’zim, with Marcus Guilherme scoring in the 81st minute and a second goal coming in stoppage time. Attendance reached 50,032 spectators for the decider.
FIFA listings indicate that Qatar has produced several notable referees who have officiated at the highest levels, including the AFC Asian Cup and various FIFA competitions. Abdulrahman Al-Jassim and Salman Falahi have featured on preliminary lists for the 2026 World Cup, while Mohammed Al Shammari became an AFC referee in 2019. His selection for the Malaysia Cup final aligns with this established pattern of international assignments.
The Asian Football Confederation has previously lauded Asian refereeing talent, with awards presented to officials who performed at events such as the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup final. AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has stated that Asian refereeing is world class based on consistent international performances. Such recognitions have elevated the profile of referees from Qatar and other member associations in regional tournaments.
In addition to domestic leagues, Malaysian football authorities have benefited from the use of neutral international referees for the Malaysia Cup final to ensure impartiality and high standards. The involvement of the Qatari team in the 2026 edition continues a tradition of inviting experienced foreign officials for the showpiece match. Records from the Football Association of Malaysia confirm that the tournament remains a premier event in the national sporting calendar more than a century after its inception.
