Khalil Ibrahim Al Ghamdi (Arabic: خليل إبراهيم الغامدي; born September 2, 1970) is a former Saudi Arabian football referee. He was a FIFA-listed international referee from 2003 to 2014, known for officiating matches in major international tournaments, including two FIFA World Cups.
Career
Al Ghamdi began his professional refereeing career in the early 2000s and quickly rose through the ranks in Saudi Arabian football. His consistent performances led to his appointment as a FIFA international referee in 2003, making him eligible to officiate international matches.
Major Tournaments
Al Ghamdi officiated in numerous significant international competitions throughout his career:
- AFC Asian Cup: He participated in the 2007 and 2011 AFC Asian Cups, officiating multiple matches in both tournaments.
- Olympic Games: Al Ghamdi was selected to referee at two Summer Olympic Games: the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.
- FIFA World Cup:
- 2010 FIFA World Cup (South Africa): This was his first FIFA World Cup appearance. He officiated two group stage matches:
- Chile vs. Switzerland
- Mexico vs. Uruguay
- 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil): He was initially selected as a referee for the 2014 World Cup but ultimately did not officiate any matches due to an injury sustained by one of his assistant referees shortly before the tournament.
- 2010 FIFA World Cup (South Africa): This was his first FIFA World Cup appearance. He officiated two group stage matches:
Other Competitions
Beyond major tournaments, Al Ghamdi regularly refereed matches in the Saudi Professional League and various AFC (Asian Football Confederation) club competitions, such as the AFC Champions League.
Retirement
Khalil Al Ghamdi retired from international refereeing at the end of 2014, in line with FIFA's age limits for international referees. He is widely regarded as one of the most prominent referees from Saudi Arabia and Asia during his active career.