Meet Zoulaikha Harmasse: Morocco’s Rising FIFA Referee Making Waves at WAFCON and Beyond

RABAT, Morocco — While the players have rightly captured the spotlight at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Moroccan referee Zoulaikha Harmasse has quietly established herself as one of the key figures ensuring high standards of officiating on the pitch.

Harmasse took charge of matches during the tournament on home soil, including the Group D encounter between Ghana and Cape Verde. Her calm authority and clear decision-making in front of passionate crowds underlined the growing quality of Moroccan match officials at continental level.

Beyond the 2026 WAFCON, Harmasse has already earned recognition on the international stage. She has held FIFA international referee status since 2024 and was among the Moroccan officials selected to carry the prestigious FIFA international badge for 2026. The list, released by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, confirmed her place among the country’s top female referees authorised to officiate in FIFA and CAF competitions.

Her inclusion on the FIFA list places her alongside other leading Moroccan officials and reflects the steady progress of women’s refereeing in the kingdom. The achievement allows her to take charge of international matches across Africa and beyond, contributing to CAF’s efforts to develop and promote female match officials.

Harmasse’s journey forms part of a broader rise in Moroccan refereeing standards. As the country continues to invest in both the women’s game and the development of officials, her presence at major tournaments such as the WAFCON serves as further evidence of that progress.

For those discovering the names behind the whistle, Zoulaikha Harmasse represents another success story from Moroccan football — a FIFA-listed referee who is steadily building her reputation both at home and on the continental stage.