Players aren’t the only ones with a financial stake in what happens at the 2026 World Cup this summer.

The officials overseeing football’s biggest tournament are in line for a bumper payday of their own, and two of England’s most prominent referees are set to cash in.

Premier League officials currently earn in the region of £170,000 to £180,000 a year once match fees and bonuses are factored in, a figure that varies depending on experience and seniority. But for those selected this summer, the World Cup presents a huge financial opportunity: the chance to exceed an entire season’s worth of earnings in just five weeks.

A Record-Breaking Pay Packet for Referees at the World Cup

According to The Times, World Cup referees will each earn a record-breaking $100,000 (around £75,000) for their involvement in the tournament, a figure that represents roughly double what officials were paid at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It’s an uplift that reflects both the expanded 48-team format, the increased scrutiny that comes with it, and FIFA’s determination to attract the very best officials football has to offer.

This is all before bonuses. Referees retained for the knockout rounds will earn more at each successive stage, with those handed the final on the 19th of July in line for the largest payout of all.

Two of the Premier League’s best referees have been selected for the tournament: Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor. Between their Premier League commitments, FA Cup and Champions League matches this season, both are understood to have already earned in the region of £250,000, so the World Cup will be a lucrative addition on top of an already substantial year’s work.

Australian official Jarred Gillett, who also works in the Premier League, will attend in a specialist VAR capacity.

World Cup Rule Changes to be Enforced

The pay structure isn’t the only thing that’s new. FIFA has introduced a raft of rule changes for 2026.

Time-wasting is being targeted more aggressively than ever. Substitutes will be required to leave the pitch within ten seconds, and any player who goes off for treatment will have to remain off the pitch for a full minute before returning. There’s also a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks, and players who cover their mouths during confrontations with officials risk immediate dismissal.

VAR’s powers have been expanded too. For the first time, the system will be able to overturn a corner if it was incorrectly awarded, and review red cards issued for a second yellow. Two things fans have been crying out for.

VAR will also have the power to intervene and disallow goals for a foul by an attacking player even before the ball has crossed the line.

With 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 VAR officials overseeing 104 matches, the infrastructure in place this summer is the largest in World Cup history by quite some distance.

Manchester United have now fully turned their attentions to their second signing of the summer after completing an agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta.

The Red Devils have agreed a £38m deal with the Serie A side to bring the Brazil star to Old Trafford, with the central midfielder now a late addition to the Brazil World Cup squad, which means a deal may be delayed before it is officially signed off and announced.

But with an agreement in place and transfer sorted, United are now moving on to their next targets, and have opened club-to-club talks for their next potential signing.

Man Utd Open Talks to Sign Mateus Fernandes

According to Roundtable, Man Utd have now opened club-to-club talks with West Ham United over a deal to sign Mateus Fernandes.

Fernandes, who has been described as a ‘superstar’, is expected to leave the Hammers this summer after they were relegated to the Championship, but the east London side are currently demanding around £80m to let him leave, despite having paid Southampton around £40m just 12 months prior in the same situation.

United are now ready to push into negotiations, but have absolutely no intention of going near that £80m asking price, and are not interested in taking part in a long saga.

The Portuguese midfielder has already agreed personal terms on a move to Old Trafford, having received glowing references from Bruno Fernandes and Michael Carrick, and now negotiations are expected to accelerate in the coming weeks over a deal.

Deal There to be Done for Man Utd

While West Ham are playing hardball behind the scenes over a deal for the 21-year-old midfielder, the expectation everywhere is that he will leave the London Stadium before the new season begins.

The £80m price tag is far too high, and West Ham know it too. But with a 15% sell-on clause owed to Southampton from any profit, they want to maximise their returns. Man Utd, however, have been burned far too many times in the past, and INEOS have seemingly learned from mistakes by the previous regime.

A deal will get done eventually, but for how much remains to be seen, and whether it’s Man United who agree terms with West Ham or not is also not guaranteed.

Manchester United are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero and are preparing an offer, according to reliable journalist Gaston Edul.

The Red Devils are expected to have a busy summer transfer window, and have already agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign Brazil star Ederson to strengthen their midfield.

But it has now emerged that alongside their midfield refreshment, United are now looking at strenghtening their defensive options by bringing in a familiar face to Premier League fans.

Man Utd Prepare Romero Offer

Romero, who has been described as ‘world-class’, is expected to leave Spurs this summer after they narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship, despite him missing the end of the season with a knee injury picked up in April.

The centre-back is expected to feature for Argentina at this summer’s World Cup, having been named in their final 26-man squad, but a move away from north London is still expected, with Roberto De Zerbi bringing in Marcos Senesi already, while bids have been made for Jan Paul van Hecke too to replace him.

Romero had been expected to leave the Premier League amid interest from Spain, but now it has been reported that Man Utd have entered the race and are preparing an offer for the 28-year-old.

United have handed Harry Maguire a new one-year contract following his performances in the 2025/26 campaign, while Lisandro Martinez is entering the final 12 months of his deal at Old Trafford too, although they have the option to extend by another year. Matthijs De Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven are the other centre-back options at the club.

The former Juventus and Atalanta defender would bring great quality, leadership and aggression to the side, and it’s claimed by his father that he has a £50m release clause in his contract after signing a new deal last summer.

Romero Arrival Would Split Fan Base

There is no doubting that on his day Romero is one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and maybe even world football. But it’s also undeniable that he has major flaws in his game, including his temperament and discipline.

But at the highest level, sometimes that bite and edge is what separates the best, and in a team that is more competitive than Spurs, he may be able to get away from that and show his qualities.

De Ligt isn’t expected to return until after the season has started, having not played since December, and Romero would be an upgrade on Maguire. If this is a deal that can be done for a fee below the regular market value because of a release clause, then it could be a masterstroke. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see fans upset, considering the priorities the squad need in other positions.