• The Fédération Internationale de Football Association has officially unveiled the complete list of match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
• A total of 52 referees have been appointed, with six female referees included in the lineup
• The selected officials represent 50 member associations spanning all six continental confederations

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has officially unveiled the list of match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming the selection of 52 referees, including six women, for the tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19.

The global football governing body also appointed 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials drawn from all six confederations and 50 member associations, marking the most diverse and extensive officiating team in World Cup history.

According to FIFA on Thursday, April 9, the selection followed a rigorous three-year evaluation process under its “quality first” principle, with officials assessed based on their consistency in both domestic leagues and international competitions, as well as performances at FIFA tournament.

Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, said: “The selected match officials are the very best in the world. 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 2026 tournament, to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the largest in FIFA World Cup history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.

Collina highlighted the scale of the officiating team, noting: “This year’s FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a 48-team line-up and 104 matches to be contested across the most extensive geographical footprint in the tournament’s history. It’ll be the largest FIFA Team One ever, with 41 more match officials than at Qatar 2022.”

He added that all officials would undergo intensive preparation ahead of the competition, “each of them must be ready to be appointed for a match and to contribute actively to ensuring that the refereeing at the World Cup is a success.”

On gender inclusion, Collina said:

“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.”

FIFA confirmed that match officials will be based in Miami, where they will undergo a 10-day preparation seminar starting May 31.

While referees and assistant referees will remain in Miami during the tournament, video match officials will relocate to Dallas, home of the International Broadcast Centre.

The tournament will also feature enhanced use of technology, including goal-line technology, an improved semi-automated offside system, and connected ball technology.

For the first time, fans will gain access to the referee’s on-field perspective through newly introduced camera systems.

Collina noted: “As has been the case at FIFA tournaments in the past, our match analysts will provide the match officials with all the information they need to prepare properly for their games. We’ll leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our match officials are fully prepared, and we’re confident that FIFA Team One will meet the challenges that lie ahead at this groundbreaking competition.”

Massimo Busacca, FIFA Director of Refereeing, added: “The road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 began immediately after the conclusion of Qatar 2022, with a structured programme involving seminars, workshops and continuous monitoring.”

FIFA also confirmed that newly approved measures by The International Football Association Board aimed at reducing time-wasting and improving match tempo will be implemented during the tournament.

CAF celebrates Infantino’s 10-year transformative leadership at FIFA

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Confédération Africaine de Football congratulated Gianni Infantino on what it described as his outstanding decade of leadership as president of FIFA.

The continental body said the 10-year milestone at the helm of world football’s governing body provides an opportunity for broader reflection on its relationship with FIFA during the period.