Kenya's Gilbert Cheruiyot selected to officiate at U20 World Cup in Chile

The 41-year-old has built a stellar career as a football official both locally and internationally.

Since joining the Kenyan Premier League in 2008 and earning his FIFA badge in 2013, he has been a consistent presence on some of the world's biggest football stages.

His appointment to the U-20 World Cup underscores his growing reputation. Over the years, Cheruiyot has featured in prestigious tournaments including the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, three Africa Cup of Nations editions (2019, 2021, 2023), and several FIFA World Cup qualifiers spanning 2022 to 2026.

Cheruiyot has also officiated in multiple CAF Champions League matches since 2018, proving his ability to maintain high standards in the game.

His selection is not just a personal achievement but a major boost for Kenya's status in global refereeing.

Despite Kenya’s national U-20 team failing to qualify for the Chile tournament after a group-stage exit in the AFCON U-20 Championship held in Egypt earlier this year, Cheruiyot’s inclusion ensures the nation will still be represented on the global stage.

Kenya continues to make strides in the refereeing space. The country has produced several top-tier officials like Peter Waweru, Dickens Mimisa, Mary Njoroge, and Stephen Yiembe, all of whom have flown the national flag high in FIFA and CAF assignments.

Cheruiyot’s inclusion is seen as a recognition of Kenya's growing technical excellence in football and sets a standard for upcoming referees in the country.

 As the tournament draws near, the Kenyan football fraternity will be watching with pride as one of their own officiates in a global competition.