FIFA has confirmed a 23-member list of Ghanaian referees cleared to officiate international competitions in the 2026 calendar year, reaffirming the country’s growing presence in global match officiating.
The approved contingent is made up of 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, one Futsal Referee, one Beach Soccer Referee and one Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Veteran official Daniel Laryea headlines the list, earning recognition in a dual capacity as both a Centre Referee and a VAR, underlining his continued standing within FIFA’s refereeing ranks.
Among the notable inclusions are Richard Kwaku, who earns his place as a newly approved assistant referee, and Portia Oppong, who has been selected to officiate in Beach Soccer competitions.
As required by FIFA regulations, Member Associations must submit annual nominations for new referees or request renewals for existing officials on the international list. In Ghana, this process is managed by the Referees Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), which vets nominees to ensure they meet FIFA’s stringent eligibility requirements.
These include successfully completing FIFA-approved fitness tests and medical examinations.
Following internal evaluations, the GFA forwards the nominations to FIFA for final approval. The world governing body retains the authority to reject any nominee who fails to satisfy its standards.
Referees approved for 2026 are authorised to wear the FIFA badge from January to December of the year. Continued inclusion on the international list beyond 2026 will depend on individual performance, while the FIFA badge remains the property of FIFA throughout the period of accreditation.
The full list of Ghanaian officials approved by FIFA for 2026 is attached.
By Wletsu Ransford