Monrovia, Liberia — The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has formally presented FIFA badges to its cohort of international referees and assistant referees for the 2026 season during a ceremony held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the LFA Headquarters in Congo Town. This initiative comes in the wake of FIFA’s release of its list of internationally approved match officials for 2026 in December 2025.
The presentation event, though brief, was marked by pride and a strong reaffirmation of the LFA’s commitment to officiating excellence and the advancement of Liberian refereeing on the global stage.
Ceremony Highlights & Significance
The badge presentation symbolizes FIFA’s official endorsement of the selected Liberian officials, enabling them to represent the nation in international assignments, from continental tournaments to FIFA-sanctioned matches. It is also a testament to the steady progress of referee development under the LFA’s strategic framework, which includes training, elite refereeing courses, and international exposure for match officials.
LFA’s Referees Committee, under the stewardship of Chairperson Judge Joseph M. Kollie, has played a pivotal role in nurturing refereeing talent, balancing local league assignments with preparation for international duties.
Officials present at the ceremony urged the badge recipients to uphold professionalism, integrity, fairness, and the highest standards of officiating, emphasizing that the honor carries both responsibility and expectation.
Liberian FIFA-Badged Referees & Assistant Referees for 2026
The following Liberian match officials were recognized and issued with their official FIFA badges:
Referees
Sylvina W. Garnett (First listed in 2019)
Emmanuel Mensah (2022)
Washington Dolo (2024)
Love T. Wehyee (2024)
Moses B. Johnson (2025)
Assistant Referees
Joel W. Doe (2019)
Hannah Moses (2022)
Tracy Chyee (2022)
Thomas Konneh (2025)
Francis Bah (2026)
These officials join the ranks of elite match officials authorized to officiate at international matches, reflecting the LFA’s sustained drive to elevate officiating standards within Liberia and across the African continent.
Context & Broader Refereeing Developments
Liberia’s refereeing community has seen broader advancements in recent years. For example, Referee Emmanuel Mensah was selected to officiate at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, underscoring the international trust placed in Liberian officials.
Furthermore, assistant referee Hannah Moses participated in an elite preparatory training course ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, representing Liberia among Africa’s top refereeing talents.
The LFA has also continued to invest in referee education and professional growth through tailored FIFA-endorsed courses and development programs designed to enhance technical acumen, fitness, and consistency.
What This Means for Liberian Football
The issuance of FIFA badges to these officials not only amplifies Liberia’s presence in international football but also serves as inspiration for a new generation of referees. Their international exposure and experience help raise standards domestically, improving the quality of officiating in Liberian league play and reinforcing the credibility of local competitions.
As these FIFA-badged officials prepare to represent Liberia on various global stages throughout the 2026 calendar year, they carry the nation’s hopes for fairness, competence, and respect in every match they oversee.
This report builds on information from the Liberia Football Association’s official communication and verified local sports reporting.
