Fifa has approved 17 Malawian referees to officiate international matches for the 2026 calendar year. Football Association of Malawi (Fam) announced the approved list on Tuesday. It comprises six centre referees, nine assistant referees and two beach soccer referees.
Emily Chathamthumba is the latest inclusion following the retirement of Bernadetta Kwimbira, while Rose Zimba has returned to the Fifa international referees list. Eness Gumbo is Malawi’s only Video Assistant Referee for the 2026 season. Fam Refereeing Manager Duncan Lengani welcomed Chathamthumba’s inclusion.
“It is good that she has been included. She has replaced Kwimbira following her retirement,” Lengani said. Fifa has also approved Mathews Ngwira and Solomon Siliwonde as beach soccer referees.
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Godfrey Nkhakananga, Easter Zimba, David Chinoko and Mayamiko Kanjere are the men’s centre referees. The assistant referees are Happiness Mbandambanda, Evance Msonda, Clemence Kanduku, Pondamali Tembo, Samuel Fudzulani, Lameck Phiri, Mphatso Matete, Lameck Phiri and Sibusiso Sibande. The approved referees international matches and wear the Fifa badge from January to December 2026, with further inclusions possible based on performance assessments.
are eligible to officiate “In line with Fifa regulations, member associations must submit annual nominations for new referees or seek renewal for existing officials on the Fifa international referees list. “The process is overseen by the Fam Referees Committee, which ensures that all nominees meet Fifa strict eligibility requirements, including fitness and medical assessments,” a post on Fam website reads. Following internal evaluations, nominations are submitted to Fifa for final approval, with the governing body reserving the right to reject any nominee who fails to meet its standards. According to Fam, the Fifa badge remains Fifa property throughout the calendar year.
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