FIFA has released the official list of match officials for the upcoming World Cup scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, confirming the selection of 52 referees, including six women.
The global football body also announced that 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials will participate in the tournament. These officials have been drawn from all six confederations and represent 50 different member associations.
Speaking on the selection, Pierluigi Collina described the officials as the best available globally, highlighting the rigorous process involved in their selection.
“The selected match officials are the very best in the world,” he said.
“They were part of a wider pool of officials that was identified and monitored over the past three years. They have attended seminars and officiated at FIFA tournaments.
“In addition, their performances in domestic and international matches were regularly assessed.”
The upcoming World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to be the largest in the tournament’s history.
For the first time, the competition will feature 48 teams and a total of 104 matches, marking a significant expansion from previous editions.
This represents an increase of 41 match officials compared to the last tournament in Qatar, where 32 teams competed in 64 matches.
Collina also noted the continued inclusion of female referees, describing it as part of FIFA’s broader effort to promote women’s participation in officiating.
“The fact that six women match officials have been selected continues a trend that was started four years ago in Qatar as we aim to further develop women’s refereeing,” he added, referencing the milestone achieved during the 2022 tournament.
The expanded officiating team reflects FIFA’s preparation for a larger and more complex tournament, ensuring that the highest standards of refereeing are maintained throughout the competition.
What you should know
FIFA has announced the full list of referees and match officials for the upcoming World Cup, selecting 52 referees, including six women.
The tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. Officials were chosen after years of monitoring and performance assessments across domestic and international competitions.
The inclusion of female referees continues a trend started in the last World Cup, highlighting FIFA’s push for greater diversity.
The increased number of officials reflects the expanded format and the need for efficient match management.
