The biannual tournament will be held in United States of America from 10th July to 1st August 2021.
Papa, a multiple times AFCON finalist, has officiated in the last two FIFA World Cups in Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018 and was also Africa's sole representative at the 2017 Confederations Cup.
He was also the fourth official in the Gold Medal match between Mexico and Brazil in the 2012 Olympics in London.
It is not often the case that a referee from another continent is invited to take part in a continental showpiece event where his originating continent isn't a member of, but it isn't also the first time that the Gambian is participating in such.
He has been invited to take part in competitions involving teams from the Asian Confederation in the past and with his standing in the global game, it surely wouldn't be the last.
The President, ExCo, staff and all members of the GFF congratulated Gassama for another monumental achievement and wished him the best of luck.
Source-GFF
