FIFA approves 23 Ghanaian referees for international duty in 2026

FIFA has confirmed the list of Ghanaian referees cleared to officiate international matches during the 2026 calendar year.

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. Headlining the list is experienced official Daniel Laryea, who earns approval in a dual capacity as a centre referee and a video assistant referee.

Among the new faces is assistant referee Richard Kwaku, while Portia Oppong has been selected for beach soccer officiating, marking another milestone in Ghana’s representation across FIFA competitions.

Under FIFA regulations, Member Associations are required to submit annual nominations, either for new referees or for the renewal of officials already on the international list. In Ghana, this responsibility lies with the Referees Committee of the Ghana Football Association, which conducts internal assessments to ensure nominees meet FIFA requirements. These include completing FIFA-approved fitness and medical examinations.

Once the local evaluation is completed, the nominations are submitted to FIFA for final approval. The world governing body retains the authority to reject any nominee who does not meet its standards.

Referees who gain FIFA approval are authorised to wear the FIFA badge from January to December 2026. Continued inclusion beyond the year remains subject to performance assessments, while the badge itself remains the property of FIFA throughout the designated period.

The full list of Ghanaian officials approved by FIFA is attached.

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