The Egyptian Football Association's Referees Committee has appointed a full Slovenian officiating team for the highly anticipated Cairo derby between Zamalek and Al Ahly, with international referee Rade Obrenović selected to take charge of one of the biggest matches in the Egyptian Premier League this season.

Al Ahly and Zamalek are scheduled to meet on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in a game expected to attract major attention from fans and the media because of its importance to both clubs and the league race.

Full Slovenian Team

Rade Obrenović will serve as the main referee, assisted by Jure Praprotnik and Grega Kordez, while David Smajc will be the fourth official.

Matej Jug has been selected as the Video Assistant Referee, with David Gabrovec working alongside him as the Assistant VAR, meaning the entire refereeing team will come from Slovenia.

The decision to appoint foreign officials reflects the special nature of matches between Al Ahly and Zamalek and the Egyptian FA's attempt to provide strong refereeing conditions for a fixture that traditionally attracts huge attention and pressure.

European Experience

Obrenović has significant international experience and has held his FIFA badge since 2017, allowing him to officiate several major matches at both European and international levels.

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The Slovenian is also regarded as one of UEFA's elite referees, giving him experience in handling high-profile matches and dealing with pressure from players, fans and the media.

His most recent international match involving national teams before the Cairo derby was the UEFA Nations League clash between Belgium and France on September 28, 2026.

Appointing a complete foreign refereeing team is also aimed at reducing potential refereeing controversy around the derby, as meetings between Al Ahly and Zamalek are usually closely watched and every major decision receives heavy attention.

The match carries extra importance as both teams will be looking for a positive result against their biggest domestic rival.

Beyond the league points, winning the derby always carries major sporting and psychological value for both sides.

Egyptian football fans will therefore be waiting for Sunday's kickoff, with attention focused not only on the players but also on Obrenović and his Slovenian team in one of the most anticipated matches of the Egyptian Premier League season.