09/01/2024
Solomon Islands Football News
Aukwai to attend FIFA Referees seminar with a chance to officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026
Photo Caption: Solomon Islands FIFA badge referee Ben Aukwai officiating in one of the recent FIFA sanctioned competition in Oceania.
Zurich gave the green light to Solomon Islands’ top FIFA badge referee Ben Aukwai to attend the Preseason of Elite Referees seminar in Argentina this month.
Aukwai and New Zealand referee Campbell-Kirk Alexander Waugh are the 2 candidates considered by the OFC Referees Department among the 6 FIFA Confederation referees – and the 37-year-old is on the verge of creating history, the road to officiating at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
He will be the second FIFA badge referee from the Solomon Islands to be given the opportunity for a chance to officiate on the big stage should he be successful.
“I’m so honored and humbled to be selected and given this lifetime opportunity,” Aukwai expressed.
“It will be a huge achievement for me in my refereeing career because I will learn new things from all the top FIFA instructors and referees around the world, and I’m proud to represent SIFF and the country.
Aukwai left the country earlier this week to Sydney, Australia before traveling to South America on January 13th.
He was selected out of 6 FIFA badge referees in the region based on their quality and the performances delivered at FIFA tournaments as well as at other international and domestic competitions.
There will be over 50 trios worldwide to attend the seminar.
OFC will hope for 2 trios (allocated space) for a high chance of representation, as there will be also an increase of participating teams from 32 to 48 countries at the next FIFA World Cup.
Possible candidates will be shortlisted by the FIFA Referees Committee which will continue through intensive preparations in the next 2 years.
SIFF Referee Development Officer Hamilton Siau confirmed saying that Aukwai’s representation is a milestone for all referees in the country.
“Ben’s participation will reflect positively on what the federation has been doing throughout the past years. In terms of competitions, national teams’ performance, administration, and the refereeing quality we produced,” says Siau.
For Aukwai it will be a shot at glory at the highest level of football in the world.
“This trip means a lot to me, and it’s a big achievement for me individually to rub shoulders with the world’s best and I’m proud to represent my country and Oceania,” he said.
“I want to thank the OFC Referees Department, SIFF Referees Department, and my referee colleagues for their support and encouragement. Also, my family for their prayers and support.
“I will continue to thank God for the strength, wisdom, and knowledge that he has given me to reach this point in my career.
-SIFF Media
