Rafael Nogueira
Following a meticulous three-year selection process, FIFA has confirmed 170 match officials for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, spanning 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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The FIFA Team One cohort is the largest in World Cup history — 41 more officials than at Qatar 2022 — and represents all six confederations across 50 Member Associations.
| Category | Total |
| Referees | 52 |
| Assistant Referees | 88 |
| Video Match Officials (VAR) | 30 |
| Total | 170 |
Roles of Match Officials
Referees
The main authority on the field. Responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game, making decisions on fouls, penalties, red cards, and goals.
Assistant Referees
Positioned on the sidelines, they assist with:
- Offside decisions
- Throw-ins and corner calls
- Supporting the main referee’s decisions
Video Match Officials (VAR)
Using advanced technology, VAR officials review:
- Goals
- Penalty decisions
- Red card incidents
- Cases of mistaken identity
Referees by Confederation
AFC — Asia (8 referees)
| Name | Country |
| Abdulrahman Al Jassim | Qatar |
| Khalid Al Turais | Saudi Arabia |
| Yusuke Araki | Japan |
| Alireza Faghani | Australia |
| Adham Makhadmeh | Jordan |
| Ning Ma | China |
| Omar Al Ali | United Arab Emirates |
| Ilgiz Tantashev | Uzbekistan |
CAF — Africa (7 referees)
| Name | Country |
| Mustapha Ghorbal | Algeria |
| Pierre Atcho | Gabon |
| Amin Mohamed | Egypt |
| Jalal Jayed | Morocco |
| Dahane Beida | Mauritania |
| Omar Abdulkadir Artan | Somalia |
| Abongile Tom | South Africa |
CONCACAF — North & Central America (9 referees)
| Name | Country |
| Drew Fischer | Canada |
| Juan Calderón | Costa Rica |
| Iván Barton | El Salvador |
| Hector Said Martínez | Honduras |
| Oshane Nation | Jamaica |
| César Ramos | Mexico |
| Katia García | Mexico |
| Ismail Elfath | USA |
| Tori Penso | USA |
Note: Katia García and Tori Penso are two of six women officials selected for the tournament, continuing a trend started at Qatar 2022.
CONMEBOL — South America (12 referees)
| Name | Country |
| Yael Falcón Pérez | Argentina |
| Darío Herrera | Argentina |
| Facundo Tello | Argentina |
| Ramon Abatti | Brazil |
| Raphael Claus | Brazil |
| Wilton Sampaio | Brazil |
| Cristian Garay | Chile |
| Andrés Rojas | Colombia |
| Juan Gabriel Benítez | Paraguay |
| Kevin Ortega | Peru |
| Gustavo Tejera | Uruguay |
| Jesús Valenzuela | Venezuela |
OFC — Oceania (1 referee)
| Name | Country |
| Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh | New Zealand |
UEFA — Europe (15 referees)
| Name | Country |
| Michael Oliver | England |
| Anthony Taylor | England |
| François Letexier | France |
| Clément Turpin | France |
| Felix Zwayer | Germany |
| Maurizio Mariani | Italy |
| Danny Makkelie | Netherlands |
| Espen Eskås | Norway |
| Szymon Marciniak | Poland |
| João Pinheiro | Portugal |
| István Kovács | Romania |
| Slavko Vinčić | Slovenia |
| Alejandro Hernández Hernández | Spain |
| Glenn Nyberg | Sweden |
| Sandro Schärer | Switzerland |
Notable: Szymon Marciniak refereed the 2022 World Cup final (France vs Argentina). François Letexier took charge of the Euro 2024 final (Spain vs England).
Assistant Referees (88)
FIFA has appointed 88 assistant referees drawn from all six confederations. Below are key figures notable for their experience at major tournaments and high-profile domestic leagues.
| Name | Country | Notable for |
| Stuart Burt | England | Long-serving Premier League assistant; worked 2022 World Cup |
| Juan Pablo Belatti | Argentina | Copa Libertadores and Copa América experience |
| Nicolas Danos | France | Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League |
| Jan De Vries | Netherlands | Eredivisie; worked alongside Danny Makkelie at multiple tournaments |
| Christian Dietz | Germany | Bundesliga; UEFA Champions League |
| Rodrigo Figueiredo | Brazil | Copa Libertadores; consistent FIFA tournament presence |
| Kathryn Nesbitt | USA | One of six women officials selected; NWSL and international experience |
| Corey Parker | USA | MLS; host nation representative |
| Sandra Ramirez | Mexico | One of six women officials; Liga MX |
| Hessel Steegstra | Netherlands | UEFA Champions League; worked 2022 World Cup |
| James Mainwaring | England | Premier League; UEFA tournament experience |
| Zakhele Siwela | South Africa | AFCON and CAF Champions League |
The full roster of 88 assistant referees spans 50 member associations. Women officials Kathryn Nesbitt, Sandra Ramirez, and others continue a landmark trend of gender inclusion in World Cup officiating.
Video Match Officials / VAR (30)
| Name | Country | Confederation |
| Khamis Al-Marri | Qatar | AFC |
| Abdullah Alshehri | Saudi Arabia | AFC |
| Shaun Evans | Australia | AFC |
| Fu Ming | China | AFC |
| Mohammed Obaid Khadim | UAE | AFC |
| Mahmoud Ashour | Egypt | CAF |
| Hamza El Fariq | Morocco | CAF |
| Joe Dickerson | USA | CONCACAF |
| Tatiana Guzman | Nicaragua | CONCACAF |
| Erick Miranda | Mexico | CONCACAF |
| Guillermo Pacheco | Mexico | CONCACAF |
| Armando Villarreal | USA | CONCACAF |
| Nicolas Gallo | Colombia | CONMEBOL |
| Antonio Garcia | Uruguay | CONMEBOL |
| Leodan Gonzalez | Uruguay | CONMEBOL |
| Juan Lara | Chile | CONMEBOL |
| Hernan Mastrangelo | Argentina | CONMEBOL |
| Juan Soto | Venezuela | CONMEBOL |
| Rodolpho Toski | Brazil | CONMEBOL |
| Ivan Bebek | Croatia | UEFA |
| Jerome Brisard | France | UEFA |
| Bastian Dankert | Germany | UEFA |
| Carlos Del Cerro Grande | Spain | UEFA |
| Marco Di Bello | Italy | UEFA |
| Rob Dieperink | Netherlands | UEFA |
| Jarred Gillett | England | UEFA |
| Dennis Higler | Netherlands | UEFA |
| Tomasz Kwiatkowski | Poland | UEFA |
| Fedayi San | Switzerland | UEFA |
| Bram Van Driessche | Belgium | UEFA |
Technology at the 2026 World Cup
FIFA will deploy several technologies to support officials:
- Goal-line technology — confirms whether the ball has crossed the line
- Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) — advanced version used for the first time at a World Cup in this format
- Connected ball technology — provides real-time data on the ball’s position and movement
- RefCam — referee body cameras, with AI-powered stabilisation software for broadcast, giving fans a first-person on-field perspective
Selection Process
FIFA followed a rigorous three-year programme to identify and appoint officials:
- Performance evaluation in international and domestic matches
- Attendance at FIFA seminars and tournaments
- Fitness and medical testing
- Psychological readiness assessment
- Knowledge of VAR technology and protocols
- Continuous monitoring by FIFA instructors, coaches, and physiotherapists
Key Dates & Logistics
| Milestone | Date / Detail |
| Team One assembly in Miami | 31 May 2026 |
| Opening match (Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Akron, Zapopan) | 11 June 2026 |
| Final (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ) | 19 July 2026 |
| VAR hub base | Dallas (International Broadcast Centre) |
| Referees & assistant referees base | Miami |
Conclusion
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be officiated by the most extensive and diverse team of match officials in the tournament’s history. With 170 officials drawn from 50 member associations across all six confederations, FIFA has prioritised both quality and global representation — a process three years in the making.
The inclusion of six women officials, cutting-edge technology such as RefCam and semi-automated offside detection, and the historic scale of the tournament itself (48 teams, 104 matches) place enormous responsibility on Team One. Based in Miami from 31 May, they will be supported by fitness coaches, physiotherapists, and mental performance specialists to ensure peak readiness from the opening match to the final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July.
Whether you’re watching for the football or keeping an eye on the decisions that shape it, the referees and officials at this World Cup represent the very best the sport has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many referees are there at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
FIFA has appointed 52 referees for the tournament, along with 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials — 170 in total.
Who is the most famous referee at the 2026 World Cup?
Poland’s Szymon Marciniak is arguably the highest-profile name on the list, having refereed the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina. France’s François Letexier, who took charge of the Euro 2024 final, is another standout.
Are there female referees at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Six women officials have been selected in total. Referees Katia García (Mexico) and Tori Penso (USA) are joined by assistant referees including Kathryn Nesbitt (USA) and Sandra Ramirez (Mexico), continuing the landmark inclusion begun at Qatar 2022.
Where are the match officials based during the tournament?
Referees and assistant referees are based in Miami, where a ten-day preparation seminar begins on 31 May. Video match officials relocate to Dallas, home of the International Broadcast Centre.
What technology will referees use at the 2026 World Cup?
Officials will be supported by goal-line technology, an advanced version of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), connected ball technology, and RefCam — body cameras with AI stabilisation software giving fans a referee’s-eye view for the first time in World Cup history.
How are World Cup referees selected?
FIFA operates a three-year evaluation programme assessing officials across international and domestic competitions. Candidates attend seminars, officiate at FIFA tournaments, and are monitored for fitness, consistency, psychological readiness, and knowledge of VAR protocols.
Which confederation has the most referees at the 2026 World Cup?
UEFA (Europe) leads with 15 referees, followed by CONMEBOL (South America) with 12, CONCACAF with 9, AFC with 8, CAF with 7, and OFC with 1.
Who refereed the 2022 World Cup final?
Szymon Marciniak of Poland. He is among the referees selected for the 2026 tournament as well.