According to reports from the Fifa referees schedules, Gassama will officiate the Group B third match between Holland and Chile to take place at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo at 16:00 hours GMT.
Gassama already featured as a fourth official last week but his appearance as central referee today will be the first time a Gambian has reached this far.
Last week, veteran Gambian referee Alhagie Faye and international referees head Omar Sey both praised the Gambian’s achievement describing it as a sterling evidence of progress of Gambian football.
Shortly before he left for Brazil, President Jammeh accorded audience to the referee and urged him to be honest and dedicated in his role which also projects The Gambia’s image. Equally, the Gambia Football Federation also bade a fitting farewell to him saying they were proud of him and urged Gambians to pray for him. Papa Gassama turned international referee in 2007 and since then has officiated at all major continental and world football events including the London 2012 Olympics. This afternoon he will go into the history books of Gambian football as the first Gambian to officiate a match as central referee at the Fifa World Cup.
By Lamin Cham
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