Cayman has reached a historic milestone in football officiating with the release of the FIFA 2026 International Referees List, which sees the territory’s representation grow to an all-time high of eight officials.
This expansion comes as Kevon Harris and Anny Arriaga Zuniga earned their appointments as FIFA assistant referees, marking “the most referees Cayman has had on the FIFA list at one time” said a Cayman Islands Football Association press release.
Both Harris and Zuniga joined the Cayman Islands Referee Association in 2023, and their rapid ascent to the global stage makes them eligible for selection to FIFA-sanctioned international matches.
The duo joins an established group of six officials – Benjamin Whitty, Kedeen Foster, Michael Akangou, Jonathon Hughes, Dwight Cummings, and DeeAnn Foster – who successfully retained their FIFA badges for 2026.
For Whitty, who serves as CIFA’s competitions, registrations and club licensing officer, in addition to serving as a match official, the growth of the panel is a point of immense pride.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to have been selected for another year on the FIFA list and to have two new additions within our small team fills me with a lot of joy and pride,” Whitty said.
Having recently officiated at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and earned a spot on the pre-selection list for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Whitty noted in the release that the new additions reflect “the strength of the development pathways and the value of mentorship in Cayman.”
Harris, a new appointee who became interested in refereeing following his playing career, said in the release, “Becoming a FIFA Assistant Referee is a reward for my dedication, discipline, determination and sacrifice.”
“It is an absolute honor to represent the Cayman Islands, and I vow to give this opportunity my very best. Stepping into the realm of elite referees comes with high expectations – expectations I fully intend to meet,” he said.
Similarly, Zuniga’s inclusion serves as a “important milestone for women’s officiating locally and regionally and she hopes her journey in the sport with inspire others.”
“As a 35-year-old woman, I’m proud to show that women can be accomplished in football at every level,” she said.
