Published on July 26, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 10 months by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Seasoned assistant referee Gilbert Cheruiyot had been appointed to officiate in a FIFA World Cup tournament.
Cheruiyot, who is Kenya’s most experienced male assistant referee having received his FIFA badge in 2013, has been selected as one of the officials for the upcoming 2025 FIFA U 20 World Cup as confirmed by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Cheruiyot’s appointment to the tournament will be one of the biggest highlights of his glittering career and perhaps wipe the tears of his failed 2022 FIFA World Cup appearance.
The 42-year-old had been appointed to officiate in the tournament held in Qatar but his name was struck off the list following Kenya’s suspension by FIFA due to government interference.
“Another proud moment for Kenyan football. Congratulations to Gilbert Cheruiyot on his FIFA U20 World Cup assignment,” reads a post of FKF’s Facebook page.
The biennial World championship, tournament that will bring together 24 teams,from across the world will be held from Saturday, 27 September to Sunday, 19 October in Chile.
Cheruiyot also officiated at the U17 AFCON in 2015, U20 AFCON in 2017 and for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) editions of 2016 and 2018.
His appointment comes days after three other Kenyan match officials were selected for duty in the upcoming 2024 CHAN.
Center referee Dickens Mimisa will be joined by assistant referee Samwel Mwangi and Stephen Yiembe who will serve as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) barely two months after he officiate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Another Kenyan referee, Josephine Wanjiku has been part of the match officials overseeing the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco that ends on Saturday 26 July.
Currently there are nine FIFA accredited assistant referees in Kenya; six men and three women.
Interestingly, the two most experienced of the nine are women; Mary Njoroge (2008) Caroline Kiles (2012).
