FIFA has officially unveiled the list of Ghanaian referees approved to officiate international matches for the 2026 calendar year, reaffirming Ghana’s strong representation on the global officiating stage.
The approved roster comprises 23 officials, made up of 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, one Futsal Referee, one Beach Soccer Referee, and one Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Heading the list is seasoned official Daniel Laryea, who has been retained both as a Centre Referee and a VAR.
The contingent also welcomes new assistant referee Richard Kwaku, while Portia Oppong earns recognition in the Beach Soccer category.
In accordance with FIFA regulations, Member Associations are required to submit annual nominations for new referees or renew the appointments of existing officials on the FIFA list.
This process is managed by the Referees Committee of the Ghana Football Association, which ensures that all nominees meet FIFA’s stringent eligibility requirements, including the successful completion of FIFA-approved fitness and medical assessments.
Once the internal vetting process is completed, the nominations are submitted to FIFA for final validation.
The world football governing body retains the authority to approve or reject any nominee based on its established standards.
Referees approved by FIFA are authorized to wear the FIFA badge from January 2026 to December 2026. Retention on the list in subsequent years will depend on individual performance, with the FIFA badge remaining the exclusive property of FIFA throughout the calendar year.
The full list of officials approved by FIFA is attached.
