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Pierre Ghislain Atcho[1] (born 1992[2]) is a Gabonese football referee who has been on the FIFA International Referees List since 2018.

Career

After earning his FIFA badge, Atcho began refereeing in international-level matches, including the 2019–20 CAF Confederation Cup, where a led a group stage match between the Libyan club Al Nasr Benghazi SC and Bidvest Wits F.C. of South Africa.[3] Atcho has also taken part in CAF Champions League editions, including a second leg semifinal between AS FAR and RS Berkane, both from Morocco.[4] Among his biggest matches are the 2023 CAF Super Cup between Al Ahly SC (Egypt) and USM Alger (Algeria), a knockout-stage game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and a semi-final between Senegal and Egypt at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.[5]

Atcho has been part of refereeing teams for youth tournaments within the Confederation of African Football, including the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania, where he oversaw a group-stage match between Guinea and Morocco.[6] In November of that year, Atcho led a group-stage group in the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.[7] In the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Atcho reached to a semi-final game between Uganda and Tunisia.[8][9]

In May 2026, Atcho was chosen as the main referee of the second-leg final of the 2026 CAF Confederation Cup final match between the Egyptian club Zamalek SC and the Algerian team USM Alger at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo.[10] Atcho was assisted by fellow Gabonese Boris Marlais and Amos Ndong, while Patrick Mbaïa, also from Gabon, served as the fourth official.[10] At the VAR, assisting Atcho were Tunisian referee Haythem Guirat along with Maria River of Mauritius and Carine Fomo of Cameroon.[10]

Outside CAF competitions, Atcho oversaw matches at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, including a round of 16 game between Spain and Japan in Surakarta.[11] He has been selected by FIFA to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a central referee, accompanied by assistant referees Boris Ditsoga and Amos Abeigne Ndong, also from Gabon.[12][13]

Selected performances

2025 Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco
Date Match Result Round Venue
24 December 2025  Algeria –  Sudan 3–0 Group stage Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
5 January 2026  Egypt –  Benin 3–1 Round of 16 Adrar Stadium, Agadir
14 January 2026  Senegal –  Egypt 1–0 Semifinal Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier
2026 FIFA World Cup – North America
Date Match Result Round Venue
16 June 2026  Iraq –  Norway 1–4 Group stage Gillette Stadium, Foxborough

References

  1. ^ Muyita, Joel (13 January 2026). “AFCON 2025: CAF names match officials for semifinals”. Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  2. ^ Atar, Amadou (10 April 2026). “Coupe du Monde 2026 : les sept arbitres africains retenus par la FIFA”. Afrik.com (in French). Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  3. ^ “AL Nasr SC Benghazi vs Bidvest Wits: score en direct”. Tribuna.com (in French). 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  4. ^ “CAF Champions League: referees for the semi-finals announced”. Foot Africa. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  5. ^ Stevens, Rob (14 January 2026). “Senegal v. Egypt”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  6. ^ “Guinea U17 vs. Morocco U17”. Tribuna.com. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  7. ^ “MALI 0-2 GHANA”. FlashFootball. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  8. ^ Kaweru, Franklin (2 March 2021). “AFCON U20: Kakooza hattrick sends Uganda Hippos to finals”. Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  9. ^ “Uganda U20 v Tunisia U20”. Tribuna.com (in French). 1 March 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  10. ^ a b c Mekki, Saïd (5 May 2026). “Coupe de la CAF | L’USM Alger concentrée sur le Zamalek”. L’Expression (in French). Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  11. ^ García, Ramón (20 November 2023). “España – Japón: resumen, resultado y goles”. MARCA (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  12. ^ Nze Mengoue, Michael (10 April 2026). “Mondial 2026 : Trois arbitres gabonais retenus dont Pierre Ghislain Atcho”. ClubSportPlus (in French). Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  13. ^ “List of appointed FIFA Match Officials” (PDF). Inside FIFA. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.