World Cup 2026: Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg to officiate Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama

FIFA has confirmed the match officials for Ghana’s opening Group L fixture against Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg set to take charge of the encounter at Toronto Stadium.

The Black Stars will begin their quest for a place in the knockout stages against the Central American nation in a crucial opening match that could have a significant bearing on the outcome of Group L, which also features England and Croatia.

Nyberg, one of Europe’s highly-rated referees, has been appointed as the centre referee for the contest. He will be assisted by compatriots Mahbod Beigi and Andreas Söderkvist, who have been named as the first and second assistant referees respectively.

Completing the officiating team is Khalid Alturais, who will serve as the fourth official for the match.

The announcement comes as Ghana steps up preparations for its return to football’s biggest stage. The Black Stars arrived in North America with renewed optimism after securing qualification and will be eager to make a positive start against Panama.

An opening victory would provide a major boost to Ghana’s chances of advancing from a difficult group, especially with challenging fixtures against England and Croatia still to come.

Coach Carlos Queiroz and his technical team will be hoping their players can rise to the occasion and deliver a disciplined performance in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter. Panama, meanwhile, will also be targeting maximum points as both nations seek to gain an early advantage in the race for qualification.

The appointment of an experienced officiating crew is expected to ensure smooth management of the match, which is likely to attract significant attention from supporters across the globe.

With the countdown to kick-off continuing, anticipation is building among Ghanaian fans, who will be hoping the Black Stars can begin their World Cup campaign on a winning note and take a significant step towards reaching the knockout rounds.