ICANN Announces Independent Objectors for the 2026 Round

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has entered into an agreement with Daniel Müller, Abdelmohsen Sheha, and Eran Sthoeger to serve as Independent Objectors (IOs) for the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round. IOs are responsible for determining whether an objection should be filed to any New gTLD Program applications in the best interests of the members of the public who use the global Internet, not acting on behalf of any particular persons or entities.

ICANN made its selection through a competitive Expression of Interest process launched in March 2026 in accordance with ICANN's procurement best practices.

The Independent Objectors

ICANN has selected Dr. Daniel Müller to serve as the Independent Objector Chair. His strong familiarity with Internet governance, the Domain Name System (DNS) ecosystem, and ICANN's role within it, was developed through his work as counsel with the IO during the 2012 Round and will bring valuable perspective to the role. Dr. Müller is an international lawyer with more than two decades of experience working on complex global issues before major international courts and tribunals. He has advised, assisted, and represented states, international organizations, and private entities in matters involving international law, human rights, and questions of broad public interest. He has a practical understanding of the IOs' mandate and of the importance of safeguarding the public interest in the DNS. Throughout his career, Dr. Müller has been recognized for his independence, impartiality, and careful judgment in high-stakes matters. He looks forward to contributing these qualities to the 2026 Round as part of the team of IOs.

Judge Abdelmohsen Sheha is an international judge and arbitrator. He serves as Senior Judge of the Egyptian State Council in Cairo and as a Judge of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) in New York, having been elected by the United Nations General Assembly. He currently serves as Second Vice-President of UNAT. Judge Sheha has extensive judicial and consultative experience in public, comparative, and international law. He holds a Ph.D. from the Université de Strasbourg, where his prize-winning dissertation examined the regulation of electronic communications under European, French, and Egyptian law. He has published extensively on telecommunications, including interconnection, net neutrality, 5G, radio spectrum, and digital regulation. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the International Chamber of Commerce Institute of World Business Law, and a listed arbitrator with the Dubai International Arbitration Centre and the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.

Eran Sthoeger is an international lawyer and advocate with extensive experience in dispute resolution, public international law, and multilateral institutions. He has more than 15 years of experience advising governments, international organizations, and private actors on complex legal and policy matters. He has acted as counsel in numerous proceedings before leading international courts and tribunals, including the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. His work has involved issues of global public concern and community interests, including environmental protection, climate change, maritime governance, human rights, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Mr. Sthoeger's career reflects a commitment to principled legal analysis, procedural fairness, and the protection of broader community interests. He brings to the IO role extensive experience evaluating competing legal claims and assessing matters that raise significant public interest considerations. Combined with his academic work and publications on international dispute resolution and institutional decision-making, this background provides a strong foundation for serving as an IO in the 2026 Round.

Background

The New gTLD Program includes an objection process that allows parties with standing to raise objections to applications on specified grounds. As part of this process, three IOs, including a chair, will act independently and in the public interest. Neither ICANN nor the ICANN Board has authority to direct or require the IOs to file or not file any particular objection. IOs may object to highly objectionable applications on Limited Public Interest or Community grounds. The IO objection filing window will begin on String Confirmation Day and remain open for a total of 111 calendar days, which includes seven additional days beyond the general public objection period. IOs may also appeal Panel Determinations and, where appropriate, participate in mediation and settlement with affected applicants.

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