Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga has once again earned international recognition after being selected among 68 referees appointed by FIFA to officiate at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5 to 27, 2026.
Mukansanga will serve in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team for the tournament, continuing her growing role in officiating through technology-based decision-making.
Shift to VAR Role
In recent years, Mukansanga has transitioned from on-field refereeing to specializing in VAR duties. Since 2025, she has mainly been involved in assisting match officials through video technology, rather than officiating directly on the pitch.
Despite being less visible in traditional refereeing assignments, her continued selection for major FIFA tournaments highlights the trust the global football governing body continues to place in her expertise.
Key Role in the 2026 Tournament
FIFA has appointed 68 referees to oversee 52 matches in the tournament, which will feature 24 national teams.
The selected officials include:
- 18 on-field referees
- 36 assistant referees
- 14 VAR officials (including 10 women)
Mukansanga is among the VAR officials chosen for the competition, reinforcing her position as one of Africa’s leading referees on the international stage.
A Trailblazing Career
Mukansanga became a FIFA-listed referee in 2012 and made history in 2022 when she officiated at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, becoming one of the first women and the first from Rwanda to do so.
Her experience also includes officiating in major international tournaments such as:
- FIFA Women’s World Cup
- Olympic Games
- CAF Women’s Champions League
- Africa Women’s Cup of Nations
In 2025, she continued her officiating career at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in a VAR role.
Awards and Recognition
Mukansanga has received several prestigious honors throughout her career, including:
- BBC 100 Women recognition
- Forbes Woman Africa recognition
- Forty Under 40 Africa Award
- East Africa Youth Award
