FIFA picks Cameroonian referee Carine Fomo Atezambong for U17 World Cup

The FIFA Referees Committee has selected 18 referees and 36 assistant referees for the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™. In addition, 18 video match officials have been appointed for this tournament.

39 year old Carine Fomo Atezambong is the lone Cameroonian referee selected for the global youth football showpiece. A physical education instructor trained at Cameroon’s National Institute for Youth and Sports, Carine Fomo has featured in major tournaments globally, appearing at the CAF Champions League, African Nations Championship CHAN and other competitions. Earlier this year she officiated at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“We are looking forward to the first-ever FIFA tournament to be played in Indonesia as this will be a key tournament for our team of referees. Refereeing will also be part of the overall legacy that the U-17 World Cup will leave on the country,” said the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina.

Overseen by the FIFA Refereeing Subdivision, the officials’ preparations for this important youth competition will focus on a wide range of topics, such as their reading and understanding of the game, teamwork, and the importance of obtaining the best position or angle – being in the right place at the right time – to make the correct decision.

The selected match officials will participate a few days before the tournament kicks off in a final preparation seminar, reviewing and analysing video clips of real-match situations, and taking part in practical training sessions with players, which will be filmed to enable participants to receive instant feedback from the instructors.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 will take place between 10 November and 2 December 2023.