Twenty-Three Referees receive FIFA badges for 2026

Twenty-three Ghanaian referees have been awarded FIFA badges for the 2026 football season.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) officially presented the FIFA badges at a brief but symbolic ceremony held at the GFA Headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

The approved contingent comprises 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, one Futsal Referee, one Beach Soccer Referee and one Video Assistant Referee (VAR), reflecting Ghana’s growing footprint across multiple disciplines of the game.

Heading the list is experienced referee Daniel Nii Laryea, who earned dual recognition as both a Centre Referee and a Video Assistant Referee, underlining his consistency and high standing within African and global officiating circles. The list also features new assistant referee Richard Kwaku and Portia Oppong, who makes history as Ghana’s Beach Soccer referee on the FIFA-approved roster.

FIFA badges are awarded annually to the highest-ranked referees from each member association, based on performance assessments from the previous year and success in rigorous FIFA-mandated fitness and technical tests. In Ghana, officials are first evaluated by the GFA’s Classification and Assessment Committee before nominations are forwarded to FIFA for final approval. The world governing body reserves the right to reject any nominee who fails to meet its strict standards, including medical and fitness requirements.

Speaking at the ceremony, GFA Vice-President Mark Addo congratulated the officials and urged them to carry themselves as worthy ambassadors of Ghanaian football.

“I want to congratulate all of you for how far you’ve come and urge you to keep your heads high. There is a lot of expectation on you, and you must work hard to maintain the standards required,” he said.

“Aspire for greatness and aim to become world-class referees. How you are perceived when your name comes up matters. Impartiality, fairness and top-class performance must always guide your work. The Football Association will continue to invest in your craft and give you the support needed to perform at the highest level. You are the soul and heart of the game.”

Chairperson of the GFA Referees Committee, Christine Enyonam Zigah, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the responsibility that comes with wearing the FIFA badge.

“You have gone through a rigorous process to be selected, and you must justify the confidence reposed in you by FIFA. You have a duty to maintain the highest standards both at home and abroad. I wish you all the very best.” she said.

The FIFA badge, which remains the property of FIFA, entitles the officials to officiate international matches from January 2026 to December 2026. Continued inclusion in future years will depend strictly on performance and adherence to FIFA regulations.

The ceremony was attended by GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo, members of the Referees Appointment Committee including W. Okine and Head of Referees Alex Kotey, who joined in presenting the badges to the officials.

GFA Communications