This milestone was celebrated at a ceremony held at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, January 21, 2026.

A cross section of the twenty-three Ghanaian referees honored with their FIFA badges.

The badges, awarded annually by FIFA based on performance, fitness tests, and assessments from the previous year, authorize these officials to officiate international matches throughout 2026 across various formats.

The group includes:

• 10 Centre Referees
• 10 Assistant Referees
• 1 Futsal Referee
• 1 Beach Soccer Referee (notably, Portia Oppong, highlighted as a historic first female in this category for Ghana)
• 1 Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

Veteran referee Daniel Nii Laryea lead the list, retaining his status with dual recognition as both a Centre Referee and VAR official, showcasing his consistent excellence on the African and global stages.

Veteran Ghana referee Daniel Nii Laryea

In his address the GFA Vice-President Mark Addo congratulated them and urged them to aim for world-class standards: “Aspire for greatness. You are the soul and heart of the game.” He emphasized impartiality, fairness, and the responsibility that comes with representing Ghana internationally, with continued FIFA recognition depending on ongoing performance.

This achievement reflects Ghana’s strengthening presence in global refereeing, especially after past challenges in the sport. These referees are now set to take the pitch in international competitions, bringing pride to the nation.

Well done to all involved—keep upholding the highest standards!

Senegal’s Teranga Lions are basking in glory after claiming their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in dramatic fashion

The team defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 in the 2025 AFCON final on January 18, 2026, thanks to a stunning extra-time goal from Pape Gueye.

The match was highly tense and chaotic and marked by a late penalty controversy that led to Senegal briefly walking off the pitch in protest, a missed Panenka attempt by Morocco, and intense drama throughout.

On their return home, the champions received an ecstatic hero’s welcome in Dakar as tens of thousands of fans flooded the streets, clad in green, yellow, and red, waving flags, blaring vuvuzelas, and chanting as the team paraded the trophy atop an open-top bus.

The procession lasted over seven hours, winding through the capital to the presidential palace, where President Bassirou Diomaye Faye greeted them, praised their “historic” resilience and fighting spirit, and declared a national holiday to celebrate.

Sadio Mané and the squad lifted the trophy high amid roaring crowds, a true outpouring of national pride after overcoming such a nail-biting final.

Morocco’s national football team, the Atlas Lions, has achieved a historic milestone by climbing to 8th place in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking (released January 19, 2026).

Morocco ranked 8th in the world after FIFA latest rankings

This marks their all-time highest ranking, surpassing their previous best of 10th in April 1998, and returns them to the global top 10 for the first time in nearly 28 years.

The rise comes despite a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), which Morocco hosted.

Their strong tournament performance came with five (5) wins, one (1) draw, and one (1) loss which earned them significant points (including a +20.23 adjustment in the rankings), propelling them up three (3) spots from 11th.

The FIFA rankings have been updated after AFCON

They now sit ahead of teams like Belgium (9th) and Germany (10th), with 1,736.57 points.

Latest FIFA world rankings

This achievement highlights Morocco’s consistent rise in international football, building on their 2022 World Cup semi-final run and ongoing development in youth academies and infrastructure.

Regarding the “identity backlash” mentioned in the headline, recent coverage of Morocco’s football successes (including this ranking update) doesn’t show widespread backlash tied directly to the new ranking itself.

Past discussions around Morocco’s national team have occasionally touched on cultural identity debates—such as the balance between Amazigh (Berber), Arab, and broader Moroccan elements in national representation, especially during high-profile events like the 2022 World Cup.

The current FIFA ranking news has been overwhelmingly positive in Moroccan and international media, focusing on pride in the Atlas Lions’ elite status and their role as Africa’s top-ranked side.