Ahmed Al-Kaf

Ahmed Al-Kaf was born on 6 March 1983 in Oman. He graduated among the top three in the Future Referees Project, kickstarting his refereeing career. He also trained in the Premier League. After receiving his FIFA license in 2010, he became a full international two years later. Al-Kaf was one of 46 referees from the first and second divisions of Oman who participated in a football referees' camp located in Dhofar, which included fitness examinations and theoretical lectures. Al-Kaf was entrusted with officiating various international matches; he served as the referee of the AFC Champions League final three times, and the only Arab referee to do so, having officiated the 2016 AFC Champions League final match between South Korean team Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Emirati team Al Ain; the second round of the 2018 AFC Champions League Final; and the 2022 AFC Champions League final match between Al Hilal SFC and the Urawa Red Diamonds. Throughout his career, as of 9 October 2024, Al-Kaf has officiated 114 matches, issuing a total of 343 yellow cards and 10 red cards.