Whistle Worthy: Why Kuwait Honored the Ref Behind Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia

Background and Rationale for the Honor

The Kuwait Football Association has explained why it chose to honor Ahmed Al Ali, the referee who oversaw the Saudi Arabia versus Indonesia playoff clash in the AFC Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The federation had previously announced the tribute despite criticism from some Saudi fans after the first leg, which Saudi Arabia won 3-2.

According to Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousaf Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti FA president, every referee may succeed or err, but he believes Kuwaiti refereeing crews managed one of the most sensitive matches in Asian football in recent years.

Indonesia is among the largest Muslim-majority countries by population; they faced Saudi Arabia, which had qualified to the World Cup seven times, making the clash highly delicate.

After the match, the president waited until the next day to hear opinions from critics, not only from Saudi observers.

Despite criticism, Saudi pundits including Sami Al-Jaber praised the referee, underscoring that the game demanded heavy concentration and precise decisions in real time.

The president said he had contacted refereeing authorities around the world, and they told him this was one of the hardest matches in qualifiers, congratulating the referee for performing with exemplary standards.

He also addressed Saudi supporters: Kuwaiti and Saudi sports share a strong bond; if Saudi wins, Kuwait wins, and if Kuwait wins, Saudi wins — a reminder that friendship and competition coexist in Gulf football.

He concluded by wishing continued success for the Saudi team and renewed effort to elevate Kuwaiti football, emphasizing an ongoing commitment to develop sport in Kuwait for the long term.

Behind the Honor

The Kuwaiti FA issued a statement 24 hours after the match confirming the honoring of Ahmed Al Ali and the officiating crew for their excellence in managing the game.

Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousaf Al-Sabah congratulated Ahmed Al Ali, his assistants Abdul Hadi Al-Anzi and Ahmed Sadik and Ammar Ashkenani as the fourth official, along with the VAR officials Abdullah Jamali and Abdullah Al-Kandari on a commendable performance.

He said he would honor the refereeing crew for their distinguished handling of the match, noting that the tribute was not a reactionary move but a recognition of a highly demanding assignment.

The honor followed hours after criticism from Saudi fans accusing Ahmed Al Ali of bias against the Saudi midfielder Mohammed Kanno after a direct red card.

Controversial Decisions

The match featured several controversial decisions, including two penalties for Indonesia and another for Saudi Arabia, all reviewed by the video assistant referee.

The most debated moment arrived in stoppage time when Al Ali sent off Kanno after two quick yellow cards: the first for delaying play and the second for dissent.

Kanno appeared to pass the ball to teammate Saud Abdulhamid for a throw-in; the referee moved toward them and awarded a yellow card, prompting protests from the Saudi captain and teammates.

The red card meant Kanno would miss Saudi Arabia’s next game against Iraq in the second group stage of the AFC Asian qualifiers for 2026, a fact that fueled discussions about refereeing in high-stakes matches.

The Saudi camp, led by fans and some former players, voiced anger at the decision. Yasser Al-Qahtani, the former Saudi star, criticized the referee for the call but cautioned that the match tested physical and tactical preparation, and that the official nonetheless contributed to a demanding contest.

Renard, the Saudi coach, declined to attack the referee, saying he preferred not to comment on refereeing to avoid misinterpretation and to stay focused on the next fixture. Patrick Kluivert, by contrast, praised the officiating team, saying they did their job well and did not commit major errors.

A broader appreciation emerged among some observers who argued that the match underscored the difficulty of officiating playoff-level ties in Asian football, where pressure from fans, media and national pride can be intense.

In closing, the discussion highlighted the delicate balance between praise for referees handling intense moments and scrutiny over a few game-changing decisions, a balance that is perennial in global football.

Punchline 1: If the whistle had a sniper scope, this match would have earned a close-up with a chocolate-scented crowd roar instead of a red card—talk about precision timing.

Punchline 2: In football as in stand-up, timing is everything. Tonight the referee delivered the punchlines and the cards, while the audience provided the encore—one that will be replayed a few times on social media.