LETTICIA IN RACE TO 2026 WC

MBABANE – It all began in 2005, driven by a profound passion for the game.
Now, 20 years later, Letticia Viana continues to make significant strides in the realm of football officiating. Her remarkable journey has culminated in her status as the only International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)-accredited video match official (VMO) from Eswatini, and she is now on the cusp of an extraordinary opportunity. Viana has been invited to participate in a four-day FIFA Video Match Officials seminar in Doha, Qatar, scheduled for January 19 to 21, 2025. This seminar is not merely another training course; it holds the potential to greatly enhance her prospects of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Departing this Friday, Viana will join fellow African female VMO Maria Revet from Mauritius to represent the Confederation of African Football (CAF). They are among only two women selected for this prestigious seminar, alongside four male officials: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria), Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt), Hamza El Fariq (Morocco), Dahane Beida (Montenegro), Abongile Tom (South Africa), and Haythem Guirat (Tunisia).

culminating

During the seminar, participants will engage in classes centred on the FIFA concept for VAR, learning how to identify referees for future tournaments. This includes rigorous training and assessments, culminating in the awarding of a certificate—an essential credential for officiating in major competitions. Viana’s officiating career has been nothing short of impressive. She was part of the officiating team at the 2022 Under-17 World Cup in India and successfully oversaw all Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup competitions last year, including the finals. Additionally, she officiated the women’s CAF Champions League third-place match in Morocco. Looking ahead, she is also set to officiate during the African Nations Championship (CHAN) from February 1-28, 2025. Having commenced her refereeing career in 2005 and obtaining her FIFA accreditation in 2015, Viana’s ascent to becoming a VMO in 2022 has been marked by unwavering dedication and resilience.  Her title makes to officiate as video assistant referee (VAR).

This seminar represents a pivotal moment in her career, as FIFA will evaluate participants to determine future referees for major events, including the FIFA Club World Cup and the Men’s and Women’s World Cups. The selection process is crucial, and Viana’s participation will undoubtedly bring her closer to realising her dream of officiating on the world stage. The FIFA Video Match Officials seminar is part of a broader initiative by FIFA to ensure referees are well-prepared for high-stakes matches. In previous years, FIFA has conducted similar seminars to train referees and VAR officials ahead of major tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

invaluable

This year’s seminar will not only focus on VAR technology, but also on the practical application of these skills in real match situations. The knowledge gained will be invaluable as FIFA aims to uphold the highest standards of officiating in football, ensuring that referees like Viana are equipped to handle the pressures of international competitions. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a landmark event, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. This tournament will be notable for expanding the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, allowing for a more diverse representation of nations in the competition.

VAR technology will play a crucial role in the 2026 World Cup, aiming to enhance the accuracy of officiating decisions. The training provided at the Doha seminar will be instrumental in preparing referees to effectively utilise VAR during matches, ensuring the integrity of the game is upheld at the highest level. While Muzi Radebe, Marketing and Communications Officer for the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), did not comment when approached, the EFA publicly commended Viana on their Facebook page, stating: “Congratulations, Letticia Viana, for being selected as a participant in the FIFA Video Match Official Seminar 2025, and for being the VAR Official for the TotalEnergies CHAN 2025.”

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