Experienced Ugandan beach soccer referee Ivan Kintu Bayige is featuring on the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) referees shortlist from which the final names that will officiate at the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be selected.
Seychelles will host this premier beach soccer biennial championship from its capital city – Victoria, from May 1st – 11th 2025.
Bayige rose to the coveted rank of a FIFA beach soccer referee in 2015, and has since officiated at five Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) finals (December 2016 – Nigeria, September 2018 – Egypt, October 2021 – Senegal, October 2022 – Mozambique and September 2024 – Egypt).
His officiating and game handling at continental competitions has been magnificent throughout, attracting appointments for even global beach soccer events – including some in Dubai.
FIFA has been taking note of his top notch performances, and he is now on the cusp of etching his name in Uganda’s history as the first Ugandan beach soccer referee to officiate at the world cup.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) will contribute five referees to the showpiece but has seven on the shortlist released by FIFA.
Bchir Hamdi from Tunisia, Ishimwe Cynthia (Burundi), Lamghaidar Driss (Morocco), Ndayisaba Ramadhani (Burundi), Ndiaye Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane (Senegal) and Siave Louis from Mauritius complete the pack of African referees on FIFA’s long list.