FIFA Clears 23 Ghanaian Referees for International Duty in 2026
Ghana’s presence on the global refereeing scene has been reinforced after FIFA confirmed a new list of local officials cleared to handle international assignments throughout the 2026 football calendar.
A total of 23 Ghanaian referees have received the green light, covering various officiating roles across the modern game. The group features 10 Centre Referees and 10 Assistant Referees, alongside specialists in futsal, beach soccer and video officiating.
Experienced referee Daniel Laryea remains a key figure on the list, earning continued trust from FIFA as both a Centre Referee and a Video Assistant Referee. The 2026 roster also introduces fresh faces, with Richard Kwaku joining the assistant referees, while Portia Oppong secures her place among FIFA-recognised Beach Soccer officials.
The selection process follows FIFA’s strict annual nomination framework, which requires each Member Association to either propose new referees or renew the status of existing ones. In Ghana’s case, the Referees Committee of the Ghana Football Association oversees the internal screening, ensuring candidates meet all eligibility benchmarks, including passing FIFA-mandated fitness and medical tests.
After this local assessment, the final nominations are forwarded to FIFA, which reserves the sole authority to approve or decline any official based on its global standards.
Successful referees are permitted to wear the FIFA badge from January to December 2026, a privilege that remains under review each year. Continued inclusion on the international list is performance-based, with the badge itself remaining the property of FIFA for the duration of the season.
