Kampala, Uganda: Ugandan FIFA referee Shamirah Nabadda has been appointed among the match officials for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, further cementing her status as one of Africa’s leading football referees.
Nabadda is among just 18 centre referees selected by FIFA from across the world to officiate at the prestigious tournament, which will be held from September 5 to 27, 2026.
Her appointment marks another significant milestone for Ugandan football officiating and reinforces East Africa’s growing influence on the international refereeing stage.
Recognition for Africa’s Best
Nabadda heads to Poland just months after being named the 2025 CAF Female Referee of the Year, an accolade that recognised her outstanding performances in continental and international competitions.
She will be part of a select CECAFA contingent assigned to the tournament.
Burundi’s Fides Bangurambona has been appointed as an assistant referee, while Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga will serve as a Video Match Official (VAR), bringing the region’s representation to three officials.
The appointments highlight FIFA’s growing confidence in the quality of match officials emerging from East Africa.
Impressive International Career
Nabadda, who received her FIFA badge in 2018, has steadily established herself among Africa’s elite referees. Her growing résumé includes appointments at some of football’s biggest tournaments.
She has officiated at the Paris Olympic Games, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Her latest appointment to the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup represents another major career achievement and reflects years of consistent excellence on the international stage.
The 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup will feature 24 national teams competing for the global title. Africa will be represented by Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Tanzania, with Tanzania becoming the only CECAFA nation to qualify for the tournament.
Nabadda’s selection ensures Uganda will also have representation at the competition through its officiating team.
Boost for Ugandan Officiating
Her appointment adds to a growing list of Ugandan referees earning prestigious FIFA and CAF assignments in recent years, reflecting the country’s continued investment in referee development.
It also strengthens Uganda’s profile within FIFA’s officiating structures ahead of major international competitions, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
The 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland will bring together the world’s best young female footballers and an elite panel of match officials from every football confederation.
For Nabadda, the tournament represents another opportunity to showcase Ugandan refereeing on football’s biggest stage and continue inspiring the next generation of female match officials across Africa.
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