Daniel Nii Laryea 2026 – World football governing body, FIFA, has omitted Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea from the final list of match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following scrutiny over his performance during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final clash between Nigeria and Morocco.
The decision has sparked reactions across African football circles, as Laryea was widely regarded as one of Ghana’s top referees and a strong candidate for global officiating duties.
Daniel Nii Laryea 2026 World Cup: FIFA Final List Excludes Laryea
FIFA recently released the official list of referees, assistant referees, and video assistant referees (VAR) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Daniel Nii Laryea was notably missing from the final roster, despite his experience in major African and international competitions.
“Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea has been left out of the list of officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” a football report stated.
The global football body selected more than 50 referees and dozens of assistant referees worldwide, including several African officials.
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Daniel Nii Laryea 2026 World Cup: AFCON Nigeria vs Morocco Match Under Scrutiny
Daniel Nii Laryea came under heavy criticism following his officiating during the AFCON semi-final match between Nigeria and Morocco, a highly controversial game that generated widespread debate across Africa.
The Super Eagles lost the tense encounter to Morocco, with many football fans and analysts questioning some of the referee’s decisions during the match.
Observers believe the controversy surrounding that game contributed to FIFA’s decision to leave him out of the World Cup list.
Daniel Nii Laryea 2026 World Cup: A Major Blow To Ghana’s Refereeing Representation
Laryea had built a strong reputation in African football over the years, officiating several high-profile matches across the continent.
His career highlights include:
- FIFA-listed referee since 2014
- One of Ghana’s top international referees
- Officiated major CAF competitions
- Selected for AFCON tournament matches
- Handled several international fixtures
His omission is now being seen as a major setback for Ghana’s refereeing presence at the global football stage.
African Referees Selected By FIFA
While Daniel Nii Laryea missed out, FIFA included several African referees in the final World Cup list, ensuring continental representation in the tournament.
The football governing body continues to emphasize performance, discipline, and consistency when selecting officials for major global competitions.
FIFA’s Criteria For World Cup Referees
FIFA typically selects referees for the World Cup based on strict evaluation standards, including:
- Performance in international competitions
- Match control and discipline
- Fitness and technical assessments
- Consistency in decision-making
- VAR knowledge and modern officiating skills
Officials who fail to meet these standards or attract major controversy often miss out on global tournaments.
Costly Fallout On The Global Stage
Football analysts say Laryea’s exclusion highlights how competitive World Cup officiating selection has become.
The decision sends a strong message that only the best-performing referees will be trusted with matches at the biggest football tournament in the world.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, the Ghanaian referee may now need to rebuild his international reputation to regain FIFA’s confidence in future tournaments.
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