To be asked to referee at the world’s biggest sporting competition is a dream come true for a football official.
FIFA assembles the very best for the job and selects a certain number of highly-regarded officials from across the confederations: UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, AFC, CAF and OFC.
On top of that, for the 2026 World Cup, there are assistant referees and 30 video assistant referees, making this the largest refereeing operation in the tournament’s history, built to cover 104 matches.
Here’s the full breakdown of how it all works; which referees are at the tournament, where they are from, who are the big names and how FIFA decides who refs the final.
World Cup 2026 Referees
REUTERS/Mike Segar
Referee
Nation
Confederation
Szymon Marciniak
Poland
UEFA
Michael Oliver
England
UEFA
Anthony Taylor
England
UEFA
François Letexier
France
UEFA
Danny Makkelie
Netherlands
UEFA
Slavko Vinčić
Slovenia
UEFA
István Kovács
Romania
UEFA
Raphael Claus
Brazil
CONMEBOL
Wilton Sampaio
Brazil
CONMEBOL
Facundo Tello
Argentina
CONMEBOL
Kevin Ortega
Peru
CONMEBOL
Ismail Elfath
United States
CONCACAF
César Arturo Ramos
Mexico
CONCACAF
Iván Barton
El Salvador
CONCACAF
Alireza Faghani
Australia
AFC
Ma Ning
China
AFC
Amin Mohamed Omar
Egypt
CAF
Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh
New Zealand
OFC
Football fans may know certain individuals from this list. However, due to referees typically playing a secondary role, most will likely only be able to recognise their faces when they see them.
It is important to note the highest-ranking referees. For example, Szymon Marciniak took charge of the 2022 final between Argentina and France and is seen as the most decorated at the tournament.
Of course, Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor are well-known to Premier League fans. The most recent international final, Euro 2024, was refereed by François Letexier.
Other notable finals include Romania’s István Kovács who took charge of the 2025 Champions League final, and Brazil’s Raphael Claus who oversaw the 2024 Copa América final. It resembles somewhat of an all-star officiating team.
How are Referees Chosen?
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Vincent Carchietta
One key question is how are the above referees selected? It stands to reason that you would need to be a top official, experienced on the biggest stage at European finals and top leagues, as well as in international football.
That is true, but candidates have to prove their ability to work alongside the same assistant and VAR teams, as officiating trios are more likely to be picked rather than individuals. Quality first is certainly the mandate for FIFA.
They also have to attend regular seminars and fitness testing and the final list is whittled down and built to withstand elite-level pressure rather than reputation alone.
One fundamental rule is no official can take charge of a match involving their own country, removing any possible conflict of interest. Plus, prior to the tournament beginning, selected referees also completed a preparatory camp, which was a ten-day seminar based in Miami.
Some of the biggest names in Premier League officiating are set to cash in.
Who Will Referee the Final?
As it stands, the referee has not been selected. That is by FIFA’s design, as it doesn’t publish a shortlist for the final — or any knockout match because those are only confirmed a few days before kick-off.
This is based off their performances across the tournament. Typically, the final tends to go to whichever referee has been the most consistent in the eyes of FIFA. That includes correct big-match calls, game management, VAR handling and strong positioning.
The standard rule applies in terms of neutrality. A referee can never oversee a match involving their own nation and the final is no different. Although, it would be naive to suggest that reputation has nothing to do with it.
After all, it is the biggest game in football. It stands to reason that having someone with prior experience of the most high-pressure environment would be a smart move. Marciniak took control of the 2022 final and could do so again, but there is no guarantee. The referee committee will make the call once the semi-finals are complete.
Two Premier League clubs are said to be considering a move for a Tottenham player who could push for a move this summer. Spurs have had a memorable summer transfer window so far, racking up a club-record spending bill of more than £230million, and more spending is expected.
Back-to-back bottom half Premier League finishes have scared the Tottenham board into action, and Roberto De Zerbi is benefiting in a major way, notably being handed Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, along with others.
But a high number of new signings is not good news for everyone, and some players now face having to leave.
Bergvall wants out of Tottenham
via Reuters
According to various reports, Lucas Bergvall wants to leave Tottenham this summer. The Sweden international saw his play time reduced after De Zerbi’s arrival towards the end of last season, and there is no obvious path to his play time increasing next season.
Spurs have James Maddison back to full fitness, while Xavi Simons will also be an option in the 10 position. Conor Gallagher and Mateus Fernandes can also play further forward, while there are options out wide, and De Zerbi is expected to further add to those options.
In Bergvall’s defence, it’s understandable how he doesn’t see a role in the Tottenham starting XI next season, even if fans are going to want to see him show a little more ambition to fight for his place.
Premier League duo eye Bergvall move
Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – November 29, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur’s Lucas Bergvall in action with Fulham’s Harry Wilson REUTERS/David Klein
According to Pete O’Rourke and Football Insider, there are two clubs currently interested in a move for Bergvall this summer. O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider Podcast: “I’m sure Tottenham don’t want to keep a player who is unhappy and has indicated that he is interested in a move away. Nottingham Forest have shown a bit of interest in him as a potential replacement for Elliot Anderson, and Aston Villa are long-term admirers of Bergvall as well.”
Spurs are currently said to be ruling out a move for Bergvall, but the situation could change if the player demands an exit. No manager is going to want an unhappy player kicking around,but given the Swede is only 20 years of age and with clear talent and potential, there could be a situation where he is loaned out rather than sold.
De Zerbi could also play a more selfish game and keep Bergvall around until at least January, keeping in mind Simons is not going to return until the winter.
Frank’s praise for Bergvall
Former Spurs boss Thomas Frank was a big fan of Bergvall, and he believed the youngster’s best position would be behind the 10, although the signings of Sandro Tonali and Fernandes won’t help his cause there, either.
“Lucas is very talented. I think he will end up as what we call an eight, that’s where I think he will end, but who knows? He’s more than capable of playing as a 10 or he can play a more midfield role from the side as he did against Liverpool,” Frank said last year.
“He’s a player we can use in different roles which is hugely beneficial and important, to have that player who can run in behind, he’s very good at pressing, good on the ball and he can drive forward with the ball. Over time he will fall into a more fixed position. It’s completely normal for a young player to play in different positions. To be that flexible is a huge boost. Look at Szoboszlai, who we all think is one of the best midfielders in the league.”
Liverpool have opened talks to sign one of the standout young talents at the World Cup.
Liverpool Sign Celtic Defender
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have sealed a deal to sign Celtic defender Dara Jikiemi on a five-year contract.
Jikiemi is the Scotland U16 captain, and it’s a huge statement that Liverpool have offered him a five-year contract at his age.
The 16-year-old is unlikely to come into the senior setup, and it will likely be a while before Liverpool fans can see him in action for the first team.
Jikiemi has yet to make his Celtic debut, and he now looks set to make the move to Liverpool.
Tottenham are showing an interest in signing a Paris Saint-Germain star in the summer transfer window, and he now wants to leave the club.
It’s been an incredibly busy summer transfer window for Spurs, who have already confirmed six new additions.
Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Martin Dubravka, Jan-Paul Van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have all arrived through the door at Hotspur Way.
The North London club have spent significant sums of money strengthening their squad, and they don’t appear to be finished yet, with it being so early in the transfer window.
It’s an important summer as Tottenham prepare to head back in the right direction after an incredibly disappointing couple of years.
Tottenham are ready to go again after completing a deal for Tonali.
Tottenham eyeing PSG star
According to a report from journalist Santi Aouna, Tottenham are one of the sides showing an interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye in the summer transfer window.
The Senegalese international wants to leave the club this summer, even though his entourage wants him to continue his journey with the French side.
Mbaye, described as fearless, was recently at the World Cup with Senegal before they were knocked out by Belgium.
With PSG looking to strengthen in the final third and already having bundles of talent, and by now wants to leave in search of regular first-team football
