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Sudanese refugee passes English and maths GCSEs in Ipswich while chasing a World Cup refereeing dream

Nasser Hamid, who fled Sudan in 2023, has passed GCSE English and maths at Suffolk New College and is building a refereeing career alongside engineering studies.

By The TEA Editorial Desk · 28 August 2026

Nasser Hamid in referee kit at Portman Road in Ipswich Image: Nasser Hamid / Suffolk Refugee Support via Suffolk New CollegeOriginal source

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A 20-year-old who fled the war in Sudan has passed his English and maths GCSEs in Ipswich while continuing an unlikely second ambition: refereeing at a future World Cup.

Nasser Hamid arrived in the UK in 2023 and began as an ESOL student at Suffolk New College. has now achieved Grade 4 passes in both English and maths and is studying IT with an engineering career in mind.

Football has become another route forward. After injury ended his hopes of playing professionally, support from Ipswich Town Foundation and Suffolk FA helped him train as a referee. He has already officiated a charity match at Portman Road and works fixtures at weekends.

Passing the two GCSEs gives Nasser a practical qualification milestone. The World Cup remains some distance away, admittedly, but so was Portman Road when he first arrived in Ipswich.