2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, September 2025.
Group E
15:00 CET - Tbilisi (Boris Paichadzis Dinamo Arena)
GEORGIA - BULGARIA
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWEAssistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Yng SWE
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Erwin Blank NED
UEFA Referee Observer: László Vágner HUN
UEFA Delegate: Mirosław Ryszka POL
Group G
18:00 CET - Kaunas (Dariaus ir Girėno stadionas)
LITHUANIA - NETHERLANDS
Referee: Elçin Məsiyev AZE
Assistant Referee 1: Elşad Abdullayev AZE
Assistant Referee 2: Pərvin Talıbov AZE
Fourth Official: Əliyar Ağayev AZE
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mathieu Vernice FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Kurt Zuppinger SUI
Group J
18:00 CET - Skopje (Nacionalna arena “Todor Proeski”)
NORTH MACEDONIA - LIECHTENSTEIN
Referee: Horațiu Mircea Feșnic ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Valentin Gabriel Avram ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Alexandru Cerei ROU
Fourth Official: Marian Alexandru Barbu ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Ovidiu Alin Hațegan ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Adrian Sorin Costreie ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Rien Koopman NED
UEFA Delegate: David Moran IRL
Group A
20:45 CET - Cologne (RheinEnergieSTADION)
GERMANY - NORTHERN IRELAND
Referee: Espen Andreas Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Fourth Official: Sigurd Smehus Kringstad NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tom Harald Hagen NOR
UEFA Referee Observer: Iain Robertson Brines SCO
UEFA Delegate: Per Eliasson SWE
Group A
20:45 CET - Luxembourg (Stade de Luxembourg)
LUXEMBOURG - SLOVAKIA
Referee: Nicholas Walsh SCO
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel McFarlane SCOAssistant Referee 2: Ross Macleod SCO
Fourth Official: Matthew MacDermid SCO
Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Steven McLean SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Volodymyr Petrov UKR
UEFA Delegate: Philippe Prudhon FRA
Group E
20:45 CET - Konya (Medaş Konya Büyükşehir Stadyumu)
TÜRKİYE - SPAIN
Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS/ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Darren England ENG
UEFA Referee Observer: Antonio Damato ITA
UEFA Delegate: Jovan Šurbatović SRB
Group G
20:45 CET - Chorzów (Superauto.pl Stadion Śląski)
POLAND - FINLAND
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVNAssistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: Matej Jug SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Asmir Sagrković SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Augustus Viorel Constantin ROU
UEFA Delegate: Andrey Medintsev BUL
Group J
20:45 CET - Brussels (Lotto Park)
BELGIUM - KAZAKHSTAN
Referee: Radu Marian Petrescu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Radu Adrian Ștefan Ghinguleac ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Mircea Mihail Grigoriu ROU
Fourth Official: Andrei Florin Chivulete ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marcel Bîrsan ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista POR
UEFA Delegate: Maria Mifsud MLT
Monday 8 September 2025
Group B
20:45 CET - Pristina (Stadiumi “Fadil Vokrri”)
KOSOVO - SWEDEN
Referee: Allard Lindhout NED
Assistant Referee 1: Rogier Honig NED
Assistant Referee 2: Johan Balder NED
Fourth Official: Joey Kooij NED
Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jeroen Manschot NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Stávros Tritsónis GRE
UEFA Delegate: Patrick Duffy IRL
Group B
20:45 CET - Basel (St. Jakob-Park)
SWITZERLAND - SLOVENIA
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Romain Lissorgue FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastien Dechepy FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Alfredo Trentalange ITA
UEFA Delegate: Jeroen Roest NED
Group C
20:45 CET - Zalaegerszeg, HUN (ZTE Aréna)
BELARUS - SCOTLAND
Referee: Nikola Dabanović MNE
Assistant Referee 1: Vladan Todorović MNE
Assistant Referee 2: Srđan Jovanović MNE
Fourth Official: Miloš Bošković MNE
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mario Zebec CRO
UEFA Referee Observer: Alberto Undiano Mallenco ESP
UEFA Delegate: Aldi Topçiu ALB
Group C
20:45 CET - Piraeus (Stádio Geórgios Karaïskákis)
GREECE - DENMARK
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Robertas Valikonis LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Donatas Šimėnas LTU
UEFA Referee Observer: David Fernández Borbalán ESP
UEFA Delegate: Thura Win ENG
Group I
20:45 CET - Debrecen, HUN (Nagyerdei Stadion)
ISRAEL - ITALY
Referee: Slavko Vinčič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sascha Stegemann GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Chrístos Nikolaḯdis CYP
UEFA Delegate: Per Svärd SWE
Group L
20:45 CET - Gibraltar (Europa Point Stadium)
GIBRALTAR - FAROE ISLANDS
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mehmet Culum SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Fredrik Klyver SWE
Fourth Official: Joakim Östling SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Jan Boterberg BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nathan Verboomen BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: João Francisco Lopes Ferreira POR
UEFA Delegate: Haraldur Haraldsson ISL
Group L
20:45 CET - Zagreb (Stadion Maksimir)
CROATIA - MONTENEGRO
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Kempter GER
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Dietz GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Sars FRA
UEFA Delegate: Filip Popovski MKD
Tuesday 9 September 2025
Group D
18:00 CET - Baku (Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionu)
AZERBAIJAN - UKRAINE
Referee: Vasílios Fotiás GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Andréas Meïndanás GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Michaíl Papadákis GRE
Fourth Official: Anastásios Papapétrou GRE
Video Assistant Referee: Ángelos Evangélou GRE
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ioánnis Papadópoulos GRE
UEFA Referee Observer: Kóstas Kapitanís CYP
UEFA Delegate: Oljas Abraev KAZ
UEFA Delegate: Oljas Abraev KAZ
Group F
18:00 CET - Yerevan (Vazgen Sargsyan anvan Hanrapetakan Marzadasht)
ARMENIA - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili GEO
Assistant Referee 1: Davit Akhvlediani GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Davit Gabisonia GEO
Fourth Official: Giorgi Kruashvili GEO
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Richard Martens NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Alain Hamer LUX
UEFA Delegate: Tomáš Bárta CZE
Group D
20:45 CET - Paris (Parc des Princes)
FRANCE - ICELAND
Referee: António Emanuel de Carvalho Nobre POR
Assistant Referee 1: Pedro Ricardo Ferreira Ribeiro POR
Assistant Referee 2: Nélson Filipe Vila Pereira POR
Fourth Official: Miguel Bértolo Nogueira POR
Video Assistant Referee: André Filipe Domingues da Silva Narciso POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fábio Oliveira de Melo POR
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young SCO
UEFA Delegate: Kim Hallberg DEN
Group F
20:45 CET - Budapest (Puskás Aréna)
HUNGARY - PORTUGAL
Referee: Erik Lambrechts BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Jo De Weirdt BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny BEL
Fourth Official: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bert Put BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Nenad Đokić SRB
UEFA Delegate: Metin Kazancıoğlu TUR
Group H
20:45 CET - Nicosia (Stádio GSP)
CYPRUS - ROMANIA
Referee: Matej Jug SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Matej Žunič SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Manuel Vidali SVN
Fourth Official: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Asmir Sagrković SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Hansson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Sviatlana Hrynkievič BLR
Group H
20:45 CET - Zenica (Stadion Bilino polje)
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - AUSTRIA
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano ESPAssistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Ángel Nevado Rodríguez ESP
Fourth Official: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Domagoj Vučkov CRO
UEFA Delegate: Rainer Koch GER
Group I
20:45 CET - Oslo (Ullevaal Stadion)
NORWAY - MOLDOVA
Referee: Balázs Berke HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Vencel Tóth HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Szert HUN
Fourth Official: Mihály Káprály HUN
Video Assistant Referee: Tamás Bognár HUN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ferenc Karakó HUN
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefan Meßner AUTUEFA Delegate: Eugène Westerink NED
Group K
20:45 CET - Belgrade (Stadion Rajko Mitić)
SERBIA - ENGLAND
Referee: Clément Turpin FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pagès FRA
Fourth Official: Stéphanie Frappart FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérémie Pignard FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Markus Nobs SUI
UEFA Delegate: Emil Ubias CZE
Group K
20:45 CET - Tirana (Air Albania Stadium)
ALBANIA - LATVIA
Referee: Damian Sylwestrzak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Paweł Sokolnicki POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Karasewicz POL
Fourth Official: Damian Kos POL
Video Assistant Referee: Piotr Lasyk POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paweł Malec POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Hannes Kaasik EST
UEFA Delegate: Mark Bos NED
I expect antonio nobre and luis godinho appointment
ReplyDeleteFelix Zwayer to Croatia - Montenegro on Monday
ReplyDeleteReferee : Felix Zwayer (GER)
AR1 : Robert Kempter (GER)
AR2 : Christian Dietz (GER)
FO : Florian Badstübner (GER)
VAR : Bastian Dankert (GER)
AVAR : Katrin Rafalski (GER)
Source : DFB Schiris Instagram
Vladimir Šajn (SVN) is appointed for the Slavia Praga - Bodo Glimt game…Maybe a debut?
ReplyDeleteAnother Slovenian!?
ReplyDeleteOT: Anyone know what happened with Paul Tierney, is he still active as main referee?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, Tierney hasn't appeared as main referee (or 4th official) in PL or cup competitions since May 2024. No main/4th appointments for the whole 24/25 season and nothing yet in 25/26. Lots of VAR appointments though.
DeleteThere was a note somewhere that he was appointed 4th official in a pre-season game back in August (Fulham v Frankfurt, I believe). This hinted he may come back. But this information may have been false - I didn't see the match and 4th official appointments for friendly matches are not well documented :). Or perhaps it was true but only because it was a friendly game.
I don't think there was ever an announcement, but it appears he is only VAR now. Who knows if he'll return as main referee, he is 44 so still has time but I guess it depends what the reason for him stepping back was.
POLAND – FINLAND is nothing less than a fight for the play-off spot. And possibly even more, should the Netherlands falter.
ReplyDeleteAn Elite referee would not have been out of place for such a match. Instead, UEFA assigns a Category 1 official – one whose last season was far from convincing. The question is: why?
Same situation in Republic of Ireland-Hungary. This match can decide second place of the group while Anthony Taylor got a crystal clear Armenia-Portugal. But you know Italy needs an Elite referee all of matches. But I think Harm Osmers is a better option for a fight for the play-off sport, than Rade Obrenovic.
DeleteSanchez yesterday??? The laws: When a throw-inn is taken from the wrong place, the throw-inn shall go over to the opponent! Time 89.27 Slovenian can take it again instead going over to Sweden and they score after after that. The referees goes they own way too early ften without actions from responsible persons! 66.25 Why not a caution?
ReplyDeleteRumsas? Someone is joking...
ReplyDeleteItaly seems to be getting very special treatment, just as some had predicted here. Will Germany receive the same treatment after their first defeat? I doubt it. In Germany, the spotlight is far less on the referee. In Italy, the referee is quickly made the scapegoat, whereas in Germany the criticism is aimed at Die Mannschaft’s performance. And of course, Rosetti is mindful of his own reputation… :)
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, we’re seeing a lot of big Elite names, and I wonder whether those same referees will also be appointed for UCL Matchday 1 — assignments that were decided before the WC qualification matches had even been played.
It is indeed a special treatment, I'm sorry for some readers who think that same would be done with other (big) national teams, but what I observed in the years is clear to me. It wasn't difficult to think that after Pinheiro for a game like Italy - Estonia, an even bigger referee would have got Israel - Italy. Even more because the game will be discussed outside the pitch. Rosetti mostly care about that, what is technical follows maybe in second instance.
DeleteAnd.. you can see they have changed the VAR for him, after all we discussed on the blog, the same was shared by committee and here you have Dingert (coming from the DEN - SCO mistake, in my opinion). Strange that Dankert is not appointed if I have missed something, maybe he is not available.
But Borosak is ok with Obrenovic...that's how it works, committee makes choices based on how much a game is important for THEM (mediatic or not), not that much based on the potential development of a referee.
Dankert appointed as Zwayer’s VAR in Zagreb.
DeleteBy the way, four Dutch refs in this qualifying round – pretty unusual. I suspect one of them was a replacement or a last-minute call. Maybe Gözübüyük with Carballo – the KNVB didn’t publish his appointment either. Instead, on Monday they accidentally posted the DM and SVDE appointments way too early… and then quickly took them down again ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, the fact that KNVB didn't publish the assignment could indicate that Gozubuyuk was a late replacement and maybe Velasco was planned to observe another referee. Of course we can't be sure but given that they publish all assignments very quickly and when this doesn't happen, one can't find a real explanation.
DeleteAfter the incident between Osmers and Hungary all of newspaper in Hungary talking about that Ireland played 12 player on field with Osmers. They are talking about obvious fraud, like the head coach and the players. To be honest I feel that Rosetti got burned Osmers. Everyone talking about the performance of the referess lik Italy. So can ask ? Hungary will get Elite referee in the future like Italy ? What will hapenning with Lambrechts in Puskas Arena in Hungary-Portugal ? I feel this match deserved more experienced referees.Especially after yesterday's incidents, everyone will be much more sensitive. But Rosetti risks promising careers with his irresponsible decisions just to protect his own nation. Nonsense
ReplyDeleteItaly get the elite referees, you know that.
DeleteWhen you have a italian boss at uefa the will give italy the most experienced referees.
My first reaction after the appointments for tuesday are little bittle surprising yess
I'm pretty sure Osmers wasn't the first choice for this match. The assistant referees seemed to favour Stieler more. It would have made more sense to have Stieler referee the match, as he is an experienced elite referee.
DeleteNow watching some sites and the accusations towards Osmers and outrage is very big,I dont think he or any german will in near future handle Hungary or their teams.
DeleteIt's not all his fault cause match was hot from the get go,but then again,we all know who will be pointed after the match.
* MD1 UCL Preview :)
ReplyDeleteA few things stand out. Some big Elite names didn’t appear in the qualifiers: Mariani, Kovács, Schärer, Peljto. Likely they’re being held back for MD1? Stieler and Bastien are also options, though UEFA often uses them for tough UEL games.
MD1 usually brings a mix of senior figures and fresh faces. On the observers side, I noticed that quite a few observers are part of UEFA’s “Development Panel”, so be ready for some surprises. To sum up:
• Slavia – Bodø/Glimt: debut with Sajn.
• Sporting – Qairat: debut with Velasco Carballo.
• Athletic – Arsenal: Observer is Kuipers. Seems too big for a debut – maybe an early check on Italy’s no.1, or even Jovanović returning at the highest level.
• Liverpool – Atlético with De Bleeckere (development panel): I agree with the mentioned options: Schärer, Peljto, Nyberg, Eskas.
• Real – Marseille: Rocchi is interesting here. The Italian is part of the development panel, a FIFA instructor, obviously close to Rosetti. Could be a younger Elite under the microscope, or early monitoring of a final candidate (Reminder: Vincic also started his 23/24 season with an early observation from Rizzoli).
• PSV – Union with Medina Cantalejo (development panel), possibly even a strong Category 1 imo.
• Benfica – Qarabag: Çakır regularly observes younger refs, and is a FIFA instructor as well.
• Brugge – Monaco: Webb (development panel) - Category 1 or lower Elite?
Apart from those, just regular observers. We’ll see some “big guns”, especially in Newcastle vs Barcelona and City vs Napoli.
Btw: I also see Zwayer as the no.1 candidate for the CL final this year – wouldn’t be surprised if UEFA keep him a bit under the radar.
One aspect to consider is, that probably all the 5 U20WC referees will work on MD1, because they are not available on MD2.
DeleteRegarding debuts, I only see Sozza as a clear candidate at the moment, because he is the only one without CL game appearing in either EL PO this season or EL KO stage last season.
Otherwise, for me it would be more sensible to continue developing referees with debuts in the last two seasons like Lambrechts, Kruashvili, Kavanagh, Balakin, Schnyder...
A committee observation could also mean consideration for Elite - not only debuts.
I agree that Athletic-Arsenal appears too big for First Group - so could be one of your ideas or maybe some early check regarding a final.
The nomination of Björn Kuipers may be related to the fact that according to Wikipedia exactly 139,872 spectators are expected. ;-)
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_UEFA_Champions_League_league_phase#Athletic_Bilbao_v_Arsenal
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSomeone seems to have read my post; now the dubious attendance prediction has disappeared from Wikipedia. ;-)
DeleteI think it's time for Sylwestrzak to make his debut in a Champions League match.
ReplyDeleteGreat first half from Nyberg. Finally he is not afraid to show early mandatory yellow cards. Looks like he will have great season and take that last step that will make him top 10 in Europe.
ReplyDelete71' foul against attacker whistled by Məsiyev and 4-2 by Netherlands disallowed. I think very soft if not totally wrong decision, but VAR can't intervene.
ReplyDeleteFor me also a wrong call. But Məsiyev is very easily fooled the whole match
Deletehttps://www.streambug.io/cv/502687
DeleteI think it's a good call by the Azeri ref, the defender was goalside of the attacker, and the latter commits a subtle push to try and win an advantage. Masiyev waited until the ball was in the net before blowing, so Var could have come if it was deemed a c/o mistake.
It was good that he waited but subtle push.. Come on.. Please watch it again and tell me where the "push" is.
DeleteOT: Someone of you express expectations about possible CL debuts. For me,there are Minakovic and Szylwestrak. From experenced firt cat referees in CL this year I expect Dabanovic and Jug.
ReplyDeleteI also expect Kikacheishvili to make his debut.
DeleteI'd add Masiyev, Barbu and van der Eijk to the possible CL debuts, besides Minaković & Sylwestrzak
Delete@Ref Fot Jug & Dabanović already have CL GS experience.
I know Quilava about Dabanovic and Jug, I just mention that I expect this year them also, not in way of debuts.
DeleteKikacheishvili, Masiyev and van der Eijk haven't even done their EL debuts, so far too early to consider CL for them, I think.
DeleteMinakovic, Sylwestrzak and Barbu have each done one EL season, but no KO or PO games yet.
IMO one doesn't need to hurry with CL debuts, but should let them gain more experience first.
Out of the 44 referees used in the last CL season, nearly all are still available and expected to be appointed again. So there is no requirement for many debuts this season.