Who is Netherlands vs Qatar referee Bakary Gassama and how many World Cups has he officiated at?

FIFA has selected 38 referees from around the globe for Qatar 2022 – and Gambia’s Bakary Gassama is one of the lucky men chosen.

He takes charge of the game between the Netherlands and Qatar in the last round of group matches.

The official is one of the chosen few to officiate matches at the World Cup, having experienced officiating on the world stage in 2018 and 2014.

Here’s all you need to know about the experienced Gassama.

Who is Bakary Gassama?

Since starting in 2003, Gassama has risen from the Gambian league to taking charge of games at the highest level.

After becoming Fifa-listed in 2007, his first major tournament was the 2012 London Olympics, where he was fourth official in the gold medal match between Brazil and Mexico.

A veteran of three African Cup of Nations, the Gambian took charge of the 2015 final.

With VAR in use in Russia, Gassama has prior knowledge of the system after its trial in the Confederations Cup last year.

He is also the first non-Asian referee to ever officiate in the Qatari league.

He got into a heated argument with now-Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz after the former Manchester United assistant manager raged at his decision when he was Egypt manager.

Egypt won the match – an Afcon semi-final – and Queiroz was sent off.

Has he officiated at the World Cup before?

This will be Gassama’s second World Cup after he appeared in Rio.

The Gambian took charge of a Group B clash which saw Holland beat Chile 2-0.