Concacaf concludes inaugural Video Match Official Certification Program
Concacaf strengthened its referee pathway with 11 new VAR certified officials across the region.
MIAMI – Concacaf concluded its inaugural Concacaf Video Match Official Certification Program (VMOCP) on September 10, 2026, with 11 match officials successfully obtaining their Video Assistant Referee (VAR) certification through FIFA’s Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP) portal.
Running from March 23 to September 10, the VMOCP provided a structured development pathway designed to identify, educate, train, and evaluate emerging video match officials from across the Concacaf region.
A total of 27 applications were received from across the Confederation, with 19 candidates advancing to the interview process. Following a comprehensive selection and evaluation process that included an initial homework assessment and structured interviews, 12 officials were selected to advance to the program’s advanced education and training phase.
Advanced Training and Development
The training included both online and in-person sessions, the latter held at the Miami Centralized Replay Center from May 4 to May 8, 2026.
During the in-person phase, participants observed and analyzed two Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal matches, completed simulator-based exercises, and practiced the application of VAR protocols in match scenarios.
The technical program focused on intervention discipline, review efficiency, Attacking Possession Phase (APP) sequencing, communication clarity, same-outcome principles, the distinction between factual and subjective decisions, and operational teamwork under pressure.
Following the centralized training in Miami, the 12 participants advanced to the Comparative Development Assessment phase. As part of this stage, officials repeated the initial five-clip homework assignment completed earlier in the program, allowing instructors to evaluate learning absorption, coachability, improvement trajectory, protocol refinement, and analytical progression.
Competition Integration
The participants then progressed to the Online Preparation and Competition Integration phase, providing them with opportunities to continue their development and apply the principles covered throughout the program in a competitive environment.
Following the completion of the program, the 11 eligible officials received their VAR certification through FIFA’s IAAP portal.
The officials that participated in the program and the Concacaf competitions in which they participated during the integration phase are:
Concacaf Under-20 Championship
- Andy Albeno – Belize
- Annays Rosario – Puerto Rico
- Filiberto Martinez – El Salvador
- Randy Encarnacion – Dominican Republic
- Crystal Sobers – Trinidad and Tobago
Leagues Cup
- Steffon Dewar – Jamaica
- Nelson Salgado – Honduras
- Ricangel Deleca – Aruba
Concacaf Central American Cup Quarterfinals
- Noriel Reina – Panama
- Shavin Greene – Guyana
- Tashun Simons – Bermuda
- Shangobunni Stephen – French Saint Martin
The inaugural VMOCP represents another step in Concacaf’s continued investment in referee development across the region. Through a combination of technical education, practical training, assessment, and competition experience, the program provided participants with a pathway to further develop their skills as video match officials.
The program also established a foundation for future editions of the VMOCP, with an emphasis on identifying long-term potential, supporting continued development, and strengthening the pool of qualified video match officials across the Confederation.
Concacaf Video Match Official Certification Program (VMOCP) on September 10, 2026, with 11 match officials successfully obtaining their Video Assistant Referee (VAR) certification through FIFA’s Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP) portal.
Running from March 23 to September 10, the VMOCP provided a structured development pathway designed to identify, educate, train, and evaluate emerging video match officials from across the Concacaf region.
A total of 27 applications were received from across the Confederation, with 19 candidates advancing to the interview process. Following a comprehensive selection and evaluation process that included an initial homework assessment and structured interviews, 12 officials were selected to advance to the program’s advanced education and training phase.
Advanced Training and Development
The training included both online and in-person sessions, the latter held at the Miami Centralized Replay Center from May 4 to May 8, 2026.
During the in-person phase, participants observed and analyzed two Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal matches, completed simulator-based exercises, and practiced the application of VAR protocols in match scenarios.
The technical program focused on intervention discipline, review efficiency, Attacking Possession Phase (APP) sequencing, communication clarity, same-outcome principles, the distinction between factual and subjective decisions, and operational teamwork under pressure.
Following the centralized training in Miami, the 12 participants advanced to the Comparative Development Assessment phase. As part of this stage, officials repeated the initial five-clip homework assignment completed earlier in the program, allowing instructors to evaluate learning absorption, coachability, improvement trajectory, protocol refinement, and analytical progression.
Competition Integration
The participants then progressed to the Online Preparation and Competition Integration phase, providing them with opportunities to continue their development and apply the principles covered throughout the program in a competitive environment.
Following the completion of the program, the 11 eligible officials received their VAR certification through FIFA’s IAAP portal.
The officials that participated in the program and the Concacaf competitions in which they participated during the integration phase are:
Concacaf Under-20 Championship
- Andy Albeno – Belize
- Annays Rosario – Puerto Rico
- Filiberto Martinez – El Salvador
- Randy Encarnacion – Dominican Republic
- Crystal Sobers – Trinidad and Tobago
Leagues Cup
- Steffon Dewar – Jamaica
- Nelson Salgado – Honduras
- Ricangel Deleca – Aruba
Concacaf Central American Cup Quarterfinals
- Noriel Reina – Panama
- Shavin Greene – Guyana
- Tashun Simons – Bermuda
- Shangobunni Stephen – French Saint Martin
The inaugural VMOCP represents another step in Concacaf’s continued investment in referee development across the region. Through a combination of technical education, practical training, assessment, and competition experience, the program provided participants with a pathway to further develop their skills as video match officials.
The program also established a foundation for future editions of the VMOCP, with an emphasis on identifying long-term potential, supporting continued development, and strengthening the pool of qualified video match officials across the Confederation.
