Ghana Ref Who Angered Nigeria at AFCON Misses Out on 2026 World Cup

Daniel Nii Laryea will not be at the 2026 World Cup. FIFA’s final selection of African referees for the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada left the Ghanaian out — a decision that will surprise few who watched his display at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Laryea officiated Nigeria’s AFCON semifinal against Morocco, a performance that drew fierce criticism. Victor Osimhen was blunt: it “was that bad.” FIFA have now, effectively, agreed.

Seven African referees made the cut — Tom Abongile, Mustapha Ghorbal, Amin Mohamed, Pierre Atcho, Jalal Jayed, Dahane Beida and Omar Artan. No Nigerian referees featured either. Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala, who faced his own scrutiny after a controversial AFCON final display, also missed out.

Laryea’s World Cup dream is over. His AFCON night in Abidjan will be hard to forget.