GFA awards FIFA badges to 23 referees for 2026 season
21st January 2026
Twenty-three Ghanaian referees have been awarded FIFA badges for the 2026 football season, marking another milestone for the country’s growing influence in international officiating.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) presented the badges at a brief but symbolic ceremony at its headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, 21 January 2025. The group includes 10 centre referees, 10 assistant referees, and one official each for futsal, beach soccer and video assistant referee (VAR) duties.
Leading the list is experienced official Daniel Nii Laryea, who received dual recognition as both a centre referee and a VAR, highlighting his consistency and rising stature within African and global refereeing circles. The contingent also includes new assistant referee Richard Kwaku, while Portia Oppong makes history as Ghana’s representative on FIFA’s beach soccer referees list.
FIFA badges are awarded annually to referees who meet strict performance, fitness and technical standards. In Ghana, officials are first assessed by the GFA’s Classification and Assessment Committee before nominations are sent to FIFA, which conducts final reviews, including medical and fitness tests.
Addressing the officials, GFA Vice-President Mark Addo congratulated them and reminded them of the responsibility that comes with international recognition.
“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. Impartiality, fairness and top-class performance must always guide your work. You are the soul and heart of the game.”
Chairperson of the GFA Referees Committee, Christine Enyonam Zigah, also urged the officials to live up to the confidence placed in them by FIFA.
“You have gone through a rigorous process to be selected, and you must justify that trust by maintaining the highest standards both at home and abroad,” she said.
The FIFA badge, which remains the property of world football’s governing body, allows officials to handle international matches from January to December 2026. Continued inclusion in future seasons 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.