There was no surprise, at least not at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), when Oshane Nation, one of the island’s top referees, was named among those who will officiate at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States from June to July.

Nation was one of 52 main referees named by FIFA on Thursday. The world football governing body also listed 88 assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees (VARs).

It is the second-straight global event at which Jamaican football officials were being appointed. Daneon Parchment and Odette Hamilton were named to participate at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Nation is the first Jamaican to be appointed to the Men’s World Cup since Peter Prendergast officiated at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Nation, who was off the island on Concacaf Champions League duties when contacted by the Jamaica Observer, said he is “grateful for the opportunity” to officiate at the global showpiece.

JFF President Michael Ricketts described the appointment as “massive”, but said it did not come as a shock.

“We knew that Oshane Nation had been looked at very closely for the World Cup and this is an indication of how far he has come and his work cannot go unnoticed,” Ricketts said.

The JFF boss had high praises for the work of the local referees department and said former FIFA referees Cardella Samuels, Kevin Morrison, Victor Stewart, Rohan Thorbourne and Dave Meikle had worked tirelessly to improve the skill level of local officials.

While Nation is the only main referee from the Caribbean named for the tournament, Trinidad and Tobago’s Caleb Wales is included in the list of assistant referees.

Samuels, head of the referees department at the JFF, said: “[I knew] he was shortlisted but I waited until the final list. As you know, anything can happen, but we are happy and proud of him as his hard work has paid off.”

She said Nation’s appointment is a nod to the high standard of officiating on the island and added that it will serve as motivation not just for Jamaican officials but others around the region.

“Caribbean officials have to do that little extra to get noticed,” she said.

Oshane Nation, Jamaican referee