FIFA Omits Ghana’s Daniel Nii Laryea from 2026 World Cup After AFCON Controversy
FIFA has excluded Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea from its list of officials for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Laryea’s performance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal between Nigeria and Morocco came under heavy criticism for controversial decisions. Seven African referees made the cut, led by South Africa’s Tom Abongile alongside officials from Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Morocco, Mauritania and Somalia. Both Laryea and Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, whose calls in the AFCON 2025 final sparked outrage, were left out. No Nigerian referee will feature when the tournament kicks off on June 11. The omissions underscore the high standards FIFA demands after questionable officiating at major tournaments.
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