Portia Oppong: Ghana’s first female FIFA beach soccer referee

Ghanaian referee Portia Oppong continues to make strides in beach soccer officiating after earning an international appointment for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Côte d’Ivoire and Mauritania.

Oppong was named Reserve Assistant Referee for the first-leg encounter in Abidjan, adding another international assignment to her growing refereeing career.

Her appointment for the match at the Agora de Port-Bouët reflects her growing involvement in the sport, having already officiated several domestic beach soccer competitions.

Oppong’s journey in refereeing began in 2016, after completing senior high school the previous year.

She started officiating at Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region before progressing through the ranks to handle matches in football, futsal, and beach soccer.

Among her documented assignments was the 2026 Ghana Beach Soccer Premier League final between Sea Sharks and Vodza Iron Breakers on September 27, 2026.

She was appointed as the referee for the title decider at the Ada Assurance Beach Soccer Arena, with Jasper Robinson and Emmanuel B. Mensah as assistants and Theophilus Duncan as fourth official.

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She was also named among the officials for the final and third-place playoff of the Beach Soccer Premier League at Keta Beach on November 5, 2023.

Her experience extends to other domestic competitions. In June 2024, she was listed among the match officials for the opening round of the Beach Soccer Premier League in Zone Two.

Beyond beach soccer, Oppong has officiated women’s football.

In November 2022, she was appointed as an assistant referee for the Women’s Premier League fixture between Hasaacas Ladies and Ridge City.

In February 2023, she was again listed as an assistant referee for the match between Soccer Intellectuals and Berry Ladies.

Her elevation to the FIFA-approved beach soccer referees roster for 2026 marked a historic achievement for Ghana, with Oppong becoming the country’s first female referee in that category.

PAH/EB

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