Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea has been left out of FIFA’s final list of match officials selected for the 2026 World Cup, dealing a significant blow to his hopes of featuring at the global showpiece in North America.
Laryea, who officiated at the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, had been widely tipped to secure a place among Africa’s representatives. His omission, however, underscores the intense competition for slots on the continent’s elite officiating roster.
In announcing its selections, FIFA confirmed that seven referees from Africa will take charge of matches at the tournament. The chosen officials reflect a diverse mix of experience, drawn from both domestic leagues and high-level continental competitions.
The list includes Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria), Amin Mohamed (Egypt), Pierre Atcho (Gabon), Jalal Jayed (Morocco), Dahane Beida (Mauritania), Tom Abongile (South Africa), and Omar Artan (Somalia).
Also missing from the lineup is Jean Ndala Ngambo, who notably officiated the final of the 2025 AFCON, raising eyebrows over his exclusion.
Senegalese referee Issa Sy has similarly been overlooked following his recent involvement in a controversial CAF Champions League clash between Al Ahly and Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to run from June 11 to July 19, with matches hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
