By Omoruyi
36 referees have been listed for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and a couple of big names have been left out.
The underlisted are to attend a World Cup seminar this month in Abu Dhabi starting November 25 through to November 29, 2017.
The final list stating specific roles will be announced once the use of video assistant referees (VARs) at the World Cup is approved by IFAB.
Below is a list of the referees and the Confederation they represent.
AFC
1. Fahad Al Mirdasi (KSA, 1985)
2. Alireza Faghani (IRN, 1978, photo)
3. Ravshan Irmatov (UZB, 1977)
4. Abdulla Mohamed (EAU, 1978)
5. Ryuji Sato (JPN, 1977)
6. Nawaf Shukralla (BHR, 1976)
CAF
1. Mehdi Abid Charef (ALG, 1980)
2. Malang Diedhiou (SEN, 1973)
3. Bakary Gassama (GAM, 1979)
4. Ghead Grisha (EGY, 1976)
5. Janny Sikazwe (ZAM, 1979)
6. Bamlak Tessema (ETH, 1980)
CONCACAF
1. Joel Aguilar (SLV, 1975)
2. Mark Geiger (USA, 1974)
3. Jair Marrufo (USA, 1977)
4. Ricardo Montero (CRC, 1986)
5. John Pitti (PAN, 1978)
6. Cesar Ramos (MEX, 1983)
CONMEBOL
1. Julio Bascunan (CHI, 1978)
2. Enrique Caceres (PAR, 1974)
3. Andres Cunha (URU, 1976)
4. Nestor Pitana (ARG, 1975)
5. Sandro Ricci (BRA, 1974)
6. Wilmar Roldan (COL, 1980)
OFC
1. Matthew Conger (NZL, 1978)
2. Norbert Hauata (TAH, 1979)
UEFA
1. Felix Brych (GER, 1975)
2. Cuneyt Cakir (TUR, 1976)
3. Sergei Karasev (RUS, 1979)
4. Bjorn Kuipers (NED, 1973)
5. Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP, 1977)
6. Szymon Marciniak (POL, 1981)
7. Milorad Mazic (SRB, 1973)
8. Gianluca Rocchi (ITA, 1973)
9. Damir Skomina (SVN, 1976)
10. Clement Turpin (FRA, 1982).