Scotland's opening game ref Mustapha Ghorbal had to get a police escort out of a ground after he was attacked with a barrage of bottles in an African Champions League semi-final this year.
The Algerian whistler has been appointed by FIFA as the man in the middle when Steve Clarke's side face Haiti in their opening game of the tournament.
But he was at the centre of major controversy during an African Champions League showdown in April between Algerian side Esperance and South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ghorbal disallowed a goal from the hosts because of what he viewed as a foul on the keeper, which he confirmed after a VAR check.
The officials were then battered by a flurry of water bottles that were lobbed at them as they made their way down the tunnel.
Ghorbal had to get a police escort to leave the stadium as angry Tunisian fans tried to attack him.
After the game, unhappy Esperance manager Patrice Beaumelle said: "The referee killed the game.
Read more
-
Haiti star duo send ominous message to Scotland ahead of World Cup opener
-
Brazilian star credits ex-Scotland defender for helping him achieve £55m transfer
-
Haiti in focus: Everything you need to know about Scotland's World Cup opponents
"I’m very sad because I think the two teams came to fight to play fantastic football with the stadium full with the fans from Sundowns with the fans from Esperance Tunis and it’s a shame this referee ruined the game.
"For me, it’s a disaster, and it’s where I think Africa has to improve because it’s always about the poor standard of refereeing here. In my opinion, the referee was not at the required level for this competition.
"For him to be refereeing at a semi-final is poor because he was very weak."
But last week, the 40-year-old whistler spoke of his pride at being appointed to a second World Cup, after officiating at four games in 2022.
He said: "Thank God I was chosen among the list of referees who will participate in the 2026 World Cup - my second tournament.
"I thank everyone who supported me and I thank the Algerian Football Federation for their absolute support.
"God willing, I will live up to the trust placed in me and represent Algeria in the best possible way at the World Cup."
