FIFA Referees’ Programme Ends As NFF Charges Officials To

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has urged Nigerian referees to implement the latest amendments to the Laws of the Game following the successful conclusion of the 2026 FIFA Member Association Course for elite referees in Abuja.

Key Highlights:

• The NFF urged referees to apply the latest FIFA rule changes.
• The updates were taught during a two-week FIFA referees’ course in Abuja.
• Participants included elite, young, and beach soccer referees.
• The new rules are already being used at the FIFA World Cup.
• The amendments will officially take effect on July 1, 2026.

Speaking at the closing ceremony on Friday, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described the annual FIFA programme as vital to ensuring Nigerian match officials remain aligned with global refereeing standards.

The two-week training, held from June 7 to 19, covered elite referees, young referee talents and beach soccer officials, including referees handling Nigeria Premier Football League matches and FIFA-listed competitions.

Sanusi explained that FIFA instructors updated participants on the latest amendments to the Laws of the Game currently being implemented at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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“The importance of this training is that every year FIFA sends representatives to update us on amendments to the Laws of the Game. These new changes are already being applied at the FIFA World Cup and will officially take effect from July 1, 2026,” he said.

He urged the officials to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice to improve the quality of officiating in Nigerian football and restore the country’s standing on the international stage.

“I have instructed the referees to ensure they apply everything they have learnt so Nigerian referees can continue to improve and gradually reclaim their pride of place internationally,” Sanusi added.