Vice-President of the Football Association, Mark Addo, has urged Ghanaian referees to set their sights on the highest levels of global officiating after 23 match officials received FIFA badges for the 2026 season.

Speaking at a brief but symbolic ceremony held at the GFA headquarters on Tuesday, January 21, where the badges were officially presented, the Vice-President congratulated the officials on their achievement and challenged them to live up to the responsibility that comes with FIFA recognition.

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

He further encouraged the referees to pursue excellence beyond domestic boundaries, stressing the importance of professionalism, integrity and perception on the international stage.

“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,” he added. “The Football Association will continue to invest in your craft and provide the necessary support to help you perform at the highest level. You are the soul and heart of the game.”

The 2026 FIFA-approved contingent comprises 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, one Futsal Referee, one Beach Soccer Referee and one Video Assistant Referee (VAR), highlighting Ghana’s expanding presence across various forms of the game.

Leading the group is seasoned referee Daniel Nii Laryea, who earned dual recognition as both a Centre Referee and a Video Assistant Referee, underscoring his consistency and stature within African and global officiating. Also included are new assistant referee Richard Kwaku and Portia Oppong, who makes history as Ghana’s Beach Soccer referee on the FIFA list.

FIFA badges are awarded annually to the top-ranked referees from each member association, based on comprehensive assessments of performance in the previous year as well as success in FIFA-approved fitness and technical tests.

In Ghana, the selection process is overseen by the GFA’s Classification and Assessment Committee before nominations are submitted to FIFA for final validation. The world governing body retains the right to reject any nominee who fails to meet its strict eligibility, medical and fitness criteria.

With the FIFA badge comes greater responsibility, as the selected officials will represent Ghana on the international stage throughout the 2026 calendar year, with continued recognition dependent on performance and adherence to FIFA standards.