FIFA Names 52 Referees, Six Women Included for Historic 2026 World Cup
Global football governing body FIFA has unveiled a list of 52 referees who will officiate at the 2026 World Cup, with six women included among the selected match officials.
In total, 170 officials were appointed for the tournament, comprising 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials drawn from all six football confederations and about 50 member associations.
According to FIFA, the selection followed a rigorous process spanning several years, with emphasis placed on performance, consistency, and experience at both domestic and international levels.
FIFA’s Head of Refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, described the selected officials as the best in the world, noting that their inclusion reflects the governing body’s commitment to quality and excellence in officiating.
The inclusion of six women continues a growing trend of female representation in men’s World Cup officiating, building on progress made during the 2022 tournament.
The 2026 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and a record 104 matches.
