By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Eswatini football continues to gain international recognition, with female referee Letticia Viana selected among 26 elite Video Match Officials to attend the FIFA Video Match Official Seminar 2026 in Doha, Qatar, from 3 to 5 February.
The announcement was confirmed by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), which shared the news through its official platforms, highlighting Viana’s growing influence in international football officiating. The seminar forms part of FIFA’s preparations for upcoming global competitions, focusing on the application, advancement, and technical intricacies of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
Viana’s invitation reflects the increasing recognition of Eswatini’s football referees at the continental and global levels. Since becoming a FIFA-listed international referee in 2015, she has officiated at several major African and international tournaments. Her career includes refereeing at the 2016 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, and handling two group-stage matches at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
In addition to on-field refereeing, Viana has amassed considerable experience in video officiating. She was appointed as a Video Referee at the 2022 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, demonstrating her expertise and reliability in VAR operations. Her selection for the FIFA seminar underscores her technical competence, professionalism, and consistent performance across multiple levels of competition.
The FIFA Video Match Official Seminar is designed to bring together some of the world’s top referees for advanced training, performance evaluation, and updates on the Laws of the Game as they relate to video officiating. Participants are considered among the most dependable and skilled officials within their respective confederations, highlighting the prestige associated with this invitation.
Viana’s achievement is a testament to the dedication and skill of Eswatini referees, providing inspiration for young officials and contributing to the development of football officiating in the country. Her continued presence on the international stage demonstrates that Eswatini’s football talent extends beyond players to highly skilled referees capable of performing at the highest levels.
This milestone marks another step forward in promoting gender equality and professional excellence in Eswatini football, positioning Letticia Viana as a leading figure in the region’s referee development programme.
