Friday, 3 October 2025

FIFA Under-20 World Cup Chile 2025 - Referee Appointments

The following officials have been appointed for group stage at 205 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.




MD1

27 September 2025, 22:00 CET
JAPAN - EGYPT 
Referee: Dario Herrera ARG
Assistant Referee 1: Cristian Navarro ARG
Assistant Referee 2: José Savorani ARG 
Fourth Official: João Pinheiro POR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Bruno Jesus POR

27 September 2025, 22:00 CET
SOUTH KOREA - UKRAINE
Referee: Keylor Herrera CRC 
Assistant Referee 1: William Chow CRC 
Assistant Referee 2: Víctor Ramírez CRC
Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed MAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Lahsan Azgaou MAR

28 September 2025, 01:00 CET
CHILE - NEW ZEALAND
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH 
Fourth Official: Joseph Dickerson USA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Cameron Blanchard USA 

28 September 2025, 01:00 CET
PARAGUAY - PANAMA
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Íñigo López de Cerain ESP
Fourth Official: Omar Abdulkadir Artan SOM
Reserve Assistant Referee: Gilbert Cheruiyot KEN

28 September 2025, 22:00 CET
MOROCCO - SPAIN
Referee: Gustavo Tejera URU 
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Barreiro URU
Assistant Referee 2: Agustin Berisso URU
Fourth Official:  Keylor Herrera CRC 
Reserve Assistant Referee: William Chow CRC 

28 September 2025, 22:00 CET
ITALY - AUSTRALIA 
Referee: Katia Itzel García MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Sandra Ramírez MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Karen Díaz MEX
Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed MAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mostafa Akarkad MAR

29 September 2025, 01:00 CET
BRAZIL - MEXICO
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA 
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA 
Fourth Official: Irfan Peljto BIH 
Reserve Assistant Referee: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH

29 September 2025, 01:00 CET
CUBA - ARGENTINA
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin MAS
Assistant Referee 1: Zairul Khalil Tan MAS
Assistant Referee 2: Muazi Zainal Abidin MAS
Fourth Official: Khalid Al-Turais KSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mohammed Al-Bakry KSA

29 September 2025, 22:00 CET
FRANCE - SOUTH AFRICA
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR 
Fourth Official: Dario Herrera ARG
Reserve Assistant Referee: Cristian Navarro ARG

29 September 2025, 22:00 CET
NORWAY - NIGERIA 
Referee: Joseph Dickerson USA 
Assistant Referee 1: Cameron Blanchard USA
Assistant Referee 2: Logan Brown USA
Fourth Official: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Abu Bakar Al Amri OMA

30 September 2025, 01:00 CET
USA - NEW CALEDONIA 
Referee:  Omar Abdulkadir Artan SOM
Assistant Referee 1: Gilbert Cheruiyot KEN
Assistant Referee 2: Abelmiro Montenegro ANG
Fourth Official:  José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Reserve Assistant Referee: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP

30 September 2025, 01:00 CET
COLOMBIA - SAUDI ARABIA 
Referee: Youcef Gamouh ALG 
Assistant Referee 1: Khalil Hassan TUN
Assistant Referee 2: Eric Ayimavo BEN
Fourth Official: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Abu Bakar Al Amri OMA

MD2

30 September 2025, 22:00 CET
EGYPT - NEW ZEALAND
Referee: Khalid Al Turais KSA
Assistant Referee 1: Mohammed Al Abakry KSA
Assistant Referee 2: Abdulrahim Al Shammari KSA
Fourth Official: Nazmi Nasaruddin MAS
Reserve Assistant Referee: Zairul Tan MAS

30 September 2025, 22:00 CET
PANAMA - UKRAINE
Referee: Kevin Ortega PER
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Orue PER
Assistant Referee 2: Jesús Sánchez PER
Fourth Official: Omar Abdulkadir Artan SOM
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rashid Al Ghaithi OMA

1 October 2025, 01:00 CET
CHILE - JAPAN 
Referee: Jalal Jayed MAR
Assistant Referee 1: Lahsen Azgaou MAR
Assistant Referee 2: Mostafa Akarkad MAR
Fourth Official: João Pinheiro POR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Luciano Maia POR 

1 October 2025, 01:00 CET
SOUTH KOREA - PARAGUAY
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH : 
Fourth Official:  Katia Itzel García MEX
Reserve Assistant Referee: Sandra Ramírez MEX

1 October 2025, 22:00 CET
SPAIN - MEXICO
Referee: Dario Herrera ARG
Assistant Referee 1: Cristian Navarro ARG
Assistant Referee 2: José Savorani ARG 
Fourth Official:  Kevin Ortega PER 
Reserve Assistant Referee: Michael Orue PER

1 October 2025, 22:00 CET
ITALY - CUBA
Referee:Augusto Aragon ECU
Assistant Referee 1: Edison Vasquez ECU
Assistant Referee 2: Danny Avila ECU
Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed MAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Lahsan Azgaou MAR

2 October 2025,01:00 CET
BRAZIL - MOROCCO 
Referee: Keylor Herrera CRC 
Assistant Referee 1: William Chow CRC 
Assistant Referee 2: Víctor Ramírez CRC
Fourth Official: Joseph Dickerson USA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Logan Brown USA

2 October 2025,01:00 CET
ARGENTINA - AUSTRALIA 
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Íñigo López de Cerain ESP
Fourth Official: Youcef Gamouh ALG
Reserve Assistant Referee: Khalil Hassani TUN

2 October 2025,22:00 CET
USA - FRANCIA
Referee: Gustavo Tejera URU 
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Barreiro URU
Assistant Referee 2: Agustin Berisso URU
Fourth Official: Dario Herrera ARG
Reserve Assistant Referee: José Savorani ARG 

2 October 2025,22:00 CET
COLOMBIA - NORWAY 
Referee: Katia Itzel García MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Sandra Ramírez MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Karen Díaz MEX
Fourth Official: Irfan Peljto BIH 
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rashid Al Ghaithi OMA

3 October 2025,01:00 CET
NIGERIA - SAUDI ARABIA 
Referee:  João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR 
Fourth Official: Irfan Peljto BIH 
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rashid Al Ghaithi OMA

3 October 2025,01:00 CET
SOUTH AFRICA - NEW CALEDONIA 
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin MAS
Assistant Referee 1: Zairul Khalil Tan MAS
Assistant Referee 2: Muazi Zainal Abidin MAS
Fourth Official: Keylor Herrerea CRC 
Reserve Assistant Referee: Abu Bakar Al Amri OMA

MD3

3 October 2025, 22:00 CET
UKRAINE - PARAGUAY 
Referee: Khalid Al Turais KSA
Assistant Referee 1: Mohammed Al Abakry KSA
Assistant Referee 2: Abdulrahim Al Shammari KSA
Fourth Official: Nazmi Nasaruddin MAS
Reserve Assistant Referee: Zairul Tan MAS

3 October 2025, 22:00 CET
PANAMA - SOUTH KOREA 
Referee:  Omar Abdulkadir Artan SOM
Assistant Referee 1: Gilbert Cheruiyot KEN
Assistant Referee 2: Abelmiro Montenegro ANG
Fourth Official: Gustavo Tejera URU
Reserve Assistant Referee: Carlos Barreiro URU 

4 October  2025, 01:00 CET
EGYPT - CHILE
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA 
Fourth Official:  José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Reserve Assistant Referee: Íñigo López de Cerain ESP

4 October  2025, 01:00 CET
NEW ZEALAND - JAPAN 
Referee: Kevin Ortega PER
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Orue PER
Assistant Referee 2: Jesús Sánchez PER
Fourth Official: Dario Herrera ARG
Reserve Assistant Referee: Cristian Navarro ARG 

4 October  2025, 22:00 CET
SPAIN - BRAZIL
Referee: Joseph Dickerson USA
Assistant Referee 1: Cameron Blanchard USA
Assistant Referee 2: Logan Brown USA
Fourth Official: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Daniele Bindoni ITA 

4 October  2025, 22:00 CET
MEXICO - MOROCCO 
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH 
Fourth Official: João Pinheiro POR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Bruno Jesus POR 

5 October  2025, 01::00 CET
ARGENTINA - ITALY
Referee: Keylor Herrera CRC 
Assistant Referee 1: William Chow CRC
Assistant Referee 2: Víctor Ramírez CRC
Fourth Official: Omar Abdulkadir Artan SO
Reserve Assistant Referee: Gilbert Cheruiyot KEN

5 October  2025, 01::00 CET
AUSTRALIA - CUBA 
Referee: Jalal Jayed MAR
Assistant Referee 1: Lahsen Azgaou MAR
Assistant Referee 2: Mostafa Akarkad MAR
Fourth Official: Khalid Al Turais KSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Abdulrahim Al Shammari KSA

5 October  2025, 22::00 CET
SOUTH AFRICA - USA
Referee: Dario Herrera ARG
Assistant Referee 1: Cristian Navarro ARG
Assistant Referee 2: José Savorani ARG 
Fourth Official: Kevin Ortega PER 
Reserve Assistant Referee:  Jesús Sánchez PER

5 October  2025, 22::00 CET
NEW CALEDONIA - FRANCE 
Referee:Augusto Aragon ECU
Assistant Referee 1: Edison Vasquez ECU
Assistant Referee 2: Danny Avila ECU
Fourth Official:  Katia Itzel García MEX
Reserve Assistant Referee: Karen Díaz MEX

6 October  2025, 01::00 CET
NIGERIA - COLOMBIA 
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin MAS
Assistant Referee 1: Zairul Khalil Tan MAS
Assistant Referee 2: Muazi Zainal Abidin MAS
Fourth Official: João Pinheiro POR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Luciano Maia POR

6 October  2025, 01::00 CET
SAUDI ARABIA - NORWAY 
Referee: Gustavo Tejera URU 
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Barreiro URU
Assistant Referee 2: Agustin Berisso URU 
Fourth Official:  Jalal Jayed MAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mostafa Akarkad MAR
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90 comments:

  1. Blue grass forgotfulness26 September 2025 at 10:53

    Var is not used?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilava26 September 2025 at 12:08

      No, it will be FVS instead.

      Delete
    2. Blue grass forgotfulness26 September 2025 at 12:46

      Can you explain what this is about? Thank you in advance.

      Delete
    3. Chefren26 September 2025 at 12:49

      It is a simplified VAR.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_video_support
      If you have time and you are interested, here in the comments a very detailed report about the tool used at FIFA Women's 2024 u17 World Cup.
      https://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2024/10/2024-fifa-u-17-womens-world-cup-referee.html

      Delete
  2. Blue grass forgotfulness26 September 2025 at 11:13

    Croatian football league

    Last weekend, a derby was played, which ended with a victory for the guests. Referred well on the first one, but not so much on the second one. The fans of the guests (not the club officially) resent, according to them, the uneven criteria. There was even a video made with situations that offend the head referee.

    My situation is from the second game. Below is the video.
    So, a yellow card was awarded. After OFR, the head referee changes the decision to a red card. Right or wrong


    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KV5JXL-h1k8

    ReplyDelete
  3. MikeM26 September 2025 at 13:22

    100% red card. Correct OFR and correct to change decision

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ref Fif26 September 2025 at 15:10

    Alberola rojas designated for the Madrid derby this Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilava26 September 2025 at 16:16

      And Del Cerro Grande will be VAR (Del Cerro is from Madrid, so during his career as an active field ref he couldn't handle Madrid or Atlético games.

      Miguel Sesma Espinosa (recently promoted this season) has been appointed to Villarreal - Athletic, i.e. a clash between two CL teams. VAR will be González Fuertes, who is back after an informal suspension (what here in ESP call "nevera", lit. the fridge) for overlooking a clear offside as VAR in Alavés - Atlético several weeks ago)

      Delete
  5. diego61226 September 2025 at 19:03

    OT: Ismail Elfath will officiate his first game of the year this Saturday (Colorado-Minnesota), his last game was Mexico-Jamaica in Copa America in June 2024 (!).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mikael W26 September 2025 at 19:44

    A dramatic end to the game that Marian Barbu was refereeing in Kuwait today...

    https://youtu.be/-US8lduAKFU

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Euro Soccer Ref26 September 2025 at 19:49

      Today in KSA:
      Al-Hazm vs Al-Ahli (Treimanis)
      Al-Ittihad vs An-Nassr (Rumšas)

      Delete
    2. Chefren26 September 2025 at 21:26

      Who was VAR in charge? Local?
      Absolutely never a punishable situation, maybe avoiding the OFR would have "better" helped the referee. With a quick final whistle after that.
      Nevertheless, one must say that it's unacceptable to have to deal with these situations.

      Delete
    3. Euro Soccer Ref26 September 2025 at 21:29

      Cătălin Sorin Popa was VAR, the rest of referee team was local. In Arab world it's common to send the referee to the monitor if major controversy has place in last minutes.

      In Saudi Arabia, VARs were Ratnieks and Šimėnas, respectively.

      Delete
    4. Ersöglü7726 September 2025 at 23:43

      It is beyond me why UEFA referees are still being sent to these countries to officiate matches. Not only is the level of football really bad, but the behavior towards referees, opponents, and people in general is an absolute disaster.
      I do understand that referees make decent money there, but Rosetti should step in and prohibit UEFA referees from officiating matches in countries like Kuwait, since people there clearly don’t seem to have things under control.
      By the way, Barbu’s decision was 100% correct!

      Delete
    5. Quilava27 September 2025 at 00:59

      I actually kinda like watching UEFA refs being sent to a 'wilder' league with more challenging games and insolent players compared to what they face in their regular UEFA & domestic competitions. Saudi League was lowkey like this not so long ago, until it got much more professionalized in all aspects in the last few years.

      I draw the line at referees having to fear for their safety, like in Greece a couple of years ago.

      Delete
    6. neroo1 October 2025 at 15:02

      Bullshit.. Name of VAR is Jamal Huseen. I guess hi is from local

      Delete
  7. TC02100227 September 2025 at 03:59

    Cordero Vega appointed to La Liga games on both the 25th and 27th of September.....pretty strange management

    ReplyDelete
  8. KVG27 September 2025 at 14:38

    Which country refers MAS ?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ref Fif27 September 2025 at 17:05

    Good OFR in the Derby.
    Clear handball goal disallowed by Alberola in conjunction with Cerro Grande.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nerazzuri27 September 2025 at 17:16

      Yeah probably not very easy to spot live for Alberola Rojas

      Delete
    2. Nerazzuri27 September 2025 at 17:33

      Now correct pk by alberola

      Delete
  10. Ref Fif27 September 2025 at 17:39

    Excellent penalty called live.
    Congratulations, Alberola!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nerazzuri27 September 2025 at 18:02

    Idk what you think about the referee appointment in england, but cavanagh and hooper seems to be getting high profile games, Oliver with lower profile ones. Is it because it’s the beginning of the season?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ref Fif27 September 2025 at 18:32

    Positive for Alberola Rojas this afternoon in the derby.
    The handball on the disallowed goal is very difficult to watch live, great work by Cerro Grande.
    Penalty awarded on the field with precision.
    Great performance by the excellent Alberola!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nerazzuri27 September 2025 at 18:48

      Yeah I also will say he was solid in a match that was not easy, clearly looking like the next big name for Spain !

      Delete
    2. M27 September 2025 at 18:52

      If all games he would whistle like this,and not be lenient and sometimes not motiveted to whistle bottom teams.

      Only 2 polemics;

      2 possible RC's,1 for Guler ,kick to the head and 2nd YC to Sorloth for his goal celebrations.

      Delete
    3. Ref Fot27 September 2025 at 19:22

      Excellent job of Alberola Rojas. Handball would not be spoted by any referee in world, so great Teamwork. Spain really gonna have top names in future, if they continiue like that.

      Delete
    4. M27 September 2025 at 19:28

      I far more like Busquets Ferrer,who is not afraid to punish when necessary.
      But Spain has their favourite ynd that is Rojas.

      Delete
    5. Ref Fot27 September 2025 at 19:40

      Agree about Busquets!

      Delete
    6. Quilava27 September 2025 at 20:10

      It was a challenging game and Alberola Rojas was able to 'land the airplane', but not a faultless performance by any means.

      Delete
    7. Ref Fif27 September 2025 at 20:27

      Yes, I agree.
      I give him an 8 out of 10 for the game.

      Delete
  13. Chefren27 September 2025 at 19:10

    UEFA CENTRE OF REFEREEING EXCELLENCE (CORE)
    61st Consolidation course for Referees and Assistant Referees
    Nyon, Switzerland
    22 – 26 September 2025
    https://www.instagram.com/p/DPHQ4lKDBVh/
    Can you identify the referees?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Euro Soccer Ref27 September 2025 at 20:25

      Mateo Tozan and Jure Jamnik SVN

      Other officials from BUL, FRO, GEO, GIB, IRL, LTU, LUX, NOR, POR and Chile.

      https://www.prvaliga.si/novica/Mateo_Tozan_in_Jure_Jamnik_na_Uefa_CORE_konsolidacijskem_seminarju?id=61693&id_objekta=40

      Delete
  14. Quilava27 September 2025 at 20:46

    It seems both Schärer and Al-Kaf are out of U20WC due to injury.

    It would be the 2nd time in a row for the Swiss, incredible bad luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp S27 September 2025 at 21:19

      Would mean busy days for the remaining referees, if there are no replacements. Especially if Rojas is also out, as reported.

      Delete
    2. Quilava27 September 2025 at 21:22

      @Philipp S

      FIFA declined Conmebol Refcom's request to remove Rojas from the tournament. He hasn't been appointed yet, but I know for certain he's in Chile right now.

      Delete
    3. Philipp S27 September 2025 at 21:46

      That's good to hear.
      Do you know anything about Aragon as well? He is the only other one missing on MD1.

      Delete
  15. Mikael W27 September 2025 at 23:05

    Dario Herrera correctly awarded Japan a penalty (clip below) and didn't face any video support challenges to his decisions from either team in the first half.

    https://www.streambug.io/cv/9fb87a

    That being said, with a view towards WC2026, the manner in which the Argentine referee handled the first half was a bit inauspicious: he didn't pick up on the early trend of the match (Egy were going to foul their opponents quite crudely) and his demeanour doesn't arouse that much respect from players, coming across as a bit buffoonish - for my taste at least.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mikael W28 September 2025 at 00:03

      Nothing really happened in the second half (match was always normal difficulty). If I were to write a polemic comment, one could say ‘Dario Herrera is like a version of Sampaio ordered on Wish’ - the same kind of serious looking referee with a very good movement style as the Brazilian, but with a number of drawbacks in both decisions and presence. The rating of the three Argentine WC candidates should be quite clear I think (despite Falcon’s CWC with some odd calls, he should remain 2nd).

      Delete
    2. Chefren28 September 2025 at 07:27

      Finally one can see a very clear penalty in the sense of the LOTG, defender from behind , aware of the attacker, makes a foul, and takes full responsibility for that. Furthermore, in a tournament with video support, it's indeed a success that you don't see anybody trying to revoke the call with the video.

      Said that, really sorry for Schaerer, it's not the first time and I think he has frequent physical issues. Despite of that, he is having a very good career so far, but maybe it could have been already more. And it seems the injures are always serious for him, rather medium-long times, maybe it's always the same thing (he suffers from something in particular), we can't know.
      Wishing a speedy recovery, but now unfortunately the tournament it's gone for him.

      Delete
    3. Philipp S28 September 2025 at 08:09

      The procedure at the penalty took way too long - without VAR checks there is no reason for such a delay.
      One should expect from an Elite referee to manage those situations so that there is less than a minute between whistle and execution, I think.

      Delete
  16. Mikael W28 September 2025 at 01:01

    Among the spectators for Chile-N.Zealand is Pierluigi Collina.

    ReplyDelete
  17. M28 September 2025 at 02:48

    88'once whistled very clear YC should have been shown,clear SPA..

    Sanchez and his criterium.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Philipp S28 September 2025 at 08:06

    Predictions MD2 (assuming Al Kaf, Aragon and Schärer are unavailable):
    EGY-NZL: Al Turais (Pinheiro)
    CHI-JAP: Jayed (Garcia)
    PAN-UKR: Rojas (Artan)
    KOR-PAR: Peljto (Gamouh)
    ESP-MEX: D.Herrera (Al Turais)
    BRA-MAR: K.Herrera (Peljto)
    ITA-CUB: Tejera (Jayed)
    ARG-AUS: Sanchez (Dickerson)
    USA-FRA: Gamouh (D.Herrera)
    RSA-NCL: Nasaruddin (Pinheiro)
    COL-NOR: Artan (K.Herrera)
    NIG-KSA: Garcia (Dickerson)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilava28 September 2025 at 20:08

      Btw, Kevin Ortega from Peru (referee at Tokyo Olympics, support referee in Qatar) has been called by FIFA to handle games in the tournament due to Al-Kaf and Schärer being absent.

      Delete
  19. 12328 September 2025 at 08:19

    Atletico Madrid - Eintracht : Vincic, Klančnik, Kovačič, Jug, Borošak (SVN), van Boekel (NED)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mikael W28 September 2025 at 13:10

    Penalty awarded by Peljto which he rightly stuck with after an OFR:
    https://www.streambug.io/cv/c5efdd

    Overall, very good performance by the Bosnian referee in this game, who showed zero tolerance for hard fouls from the beginning of the match and generally interacted with the players in a positive way.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Mikael W29 September 2025 at 00:12

    OFRs from Morocco-Spain:
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/ea4786
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/d4857d

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mikael W29 September 2025 at 14:04

    OFRs from the remaining games yesterday.

    Brazil-Morocco (Mariani)
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/373abe
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/ab1ffb

    Cuba-Argentina (Nasaruddin)
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/94db21
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/66a195

    No challenges for Garcia Mendoza in Italy-Australia, but she did correctly award the Latin country a penalty (and resultant DOGSO-attempt yellow card) for a clear foul by the goalkeeper, which resulted in the game's only goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren30 September 2025 at 10:03

      Thanks for reporting, very hard to follow this competition for me, but absolutely interested in it. One must praise Mariani for the excellent report about the technical decision of NO RED CARD in the second OFR.

      Delete
  23. Andrei29 September 2025 at 16:20

    To Chefren or Mikael, I apologize if this topic already being discussed, what do you think about the future of VS, is it going to replace VAR or just alternatives for youth competition (to cut cost, number of officials, cameras, etc.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren30 September 2025 at 09:55

      In my opinion, the discussion should be divided into two fundamental arguments: first, the simplification of the technological system of VAR, meaning fewer cameras and trying to guarantee a minimum amount of footage in order to meet lower budgets. That's essentially why this additional, less invasive technology was created in terms of equipment. But on the other hand, the main focus is definitely on who should be the one to call the referee to review an incident. So it's hard to give a generic answer and say that video support, as it is, can completely replace VAR system. If I had to give a simplistic answer, I would say no. But we need to separate the topics and point out that unfortunately there's a certain impatience towards calls made by referees themselves, which are often just as mistaken, as we frequently see also in Serie A.

      At the same time, I'm observing the test of video support in Serie C, with Daniele Orsato, who has become head of the committe, alongside his two former international assistants Carbone and Giallatini, starting this year. I must say that in most cases this video support is useless, the way it's used. Why? Because the Serie C cameras are far away from the pitch and obviously don't show you anything; in most cases, unless there are very rare close-up replays, you have just to accept the referee decisions.

      What happens is that after every crucial incident, the team that feels it was a wrong one, tries to imagine there might have been something that could make the referee change his decision. But that shouldn’'t be the reason the tool was created. In fact, in most cases I see completely useless interventions where the on-field decision is confirmed. For me, it should still be the referee who decides whether or not to call his colleague to the monitor.

      As for the cameras, the issue always comes back to the budget of who can or cannot invest, which is not something we can't know. But VAR, as it was originally created, needs as many cameras as possible; otherwise, in most cases, it's useless because it doesn’t really allow you to investigate the referee's decision.

      That being said, if you ask me whether this simplified system could ever fully replace the classic VAR, my answer is no, for many reasons, some of which I have mentioned. Still, the discussion is very interesting, with negative and positive points on both sides.

      Delete
  24. Mikael W30 September 2025 at 10:57

    OFRs from yesterday's games:

    France-S.Africa (Pinheiro)
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/522f7a

    Norway-Nigeria (Dickerson)
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/3fed0d
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/254e78
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/05527f

    Colombia-S.Arabia (Gamouh)
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/1a9b75

    Usa-N.Caledonia (Artan)
    https://www.streambug.org/cv/f68a31

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chefren1 October 2025 at 08:55

      Pinheiro OFR is a tricky. Live you can maybe support the decision because you can think that attacker makes it definitely bigger by using the contact and I think this happened, but the leg in that position was a trip and one can't deny the penalty, once rewatched the footage. This situation remarks once again the style of the Portuguese: basically he tries to play on after most of the incidents, but he never gives ths idea he is 100% convinced about what he has done. From the body language, I would have even the doubt that he prefers to go if nothing big is missed (see the whistle in the mouth but without whistling). Should sell his decisions with more firmess.

      And just a side note about Artan, excellent sprint after the fall in the midfield to control the possible penalty in the box, he found himself in the best positioning to judge. I was really impressed here. I agree no penalty.

      Delete
    2. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf2 October 2025 at 11:39

      Are you talking penalty of south africa against france

      Delete
  25. diego6121 October 2025 at 05:04

    -Colombia-Norway: García (MEX)
    -Nigeria-Saudi Arabia: Pinheiro (POR)
    -South Africa-New Caledonia: Nasaruddin (MAS)
    -United States-France: Tejera (URU)

    @arbitrointernacional

    ReplyDelete
  26. diego6121 October 2025 at 05:09

    Assuming that 3 referees will have 3 GS matches, my predictions are:

    EGYCHI- Mariani (ITA)
    NZLJPN- Artan (SOM)
    PANKOR- Jayed (MAR)
    UKRPAR- Gamouh (ALG)
    ESPBRA- Al-Turais (KSA)
    MEXMAR- Ortega (PER)
    ARGITA- Dickerson (USA)
    AUSCUB- Rojas (COL)
    RSAUSA- Peljto (BIH)
    NCLFRA- Aragón (ECU)
    NIGCOL- Sánchez (ESP)
    KSANOR- Herrera (CRC)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp S1 October 2025 at 08:13

      Assuming Rojas remains unavailable, mine are
      EGYCHI: Dickerson
      NZLJPN: Artan
      PANKOR: Mariani
      UKRPAR: Gamouh
      ESPBRA: Al-Turais
      MEXMAR: Peljto
      ARGITA: Jayed
      AUSCUB: Ortega
      RSAUSA: D.Herrera
      NCLFRA: K.Herrera
      NIGCOL: Sanchez
      KSANOR: Aragon

      Delete
    2. diego6121 October 2025 at 17:23

      The thing here is that they reported that Rojas is in Chile…But nothing so far? Not even 4th official? I mean, It’s weird…

      Delete
  27. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf1 October 2025 at 18:08

    Porto vs benfica miguel nogueira

    ReplyDelete
  28. Quilava1 October 2025 at 21:50

    MD3 first appointments:

    NZLJPN: Ortega (PER)
    EGYCHI: Mariani (ITA)
    UKRPAR: Al-Turais (KSA)
    PANKOR: Artan (SOM)

    ReplyDelete
  29. diego6122 October 2025 at 02:22

    Well, this tournament will be remember as the “injury world cup”

    Sanchez Martinez got injured before ARGAUS, Gamouh is whistling the match.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2 October 2025 at 13:36

      A real blow for Sánchez and Schärer, if that’s true… I had rated their World Cup chances quite highly, partly due to the Spanish and Swiss influence in FIFA refereeing. Now, though, it will be tough for them to break in. They are more or less dependent on the FCWC referees not undermining their chances through controversy, injuries, or poor form, rather than being in charge of their own destiny. But not impossible!

      However, it’s hard to justify Sanchez and Schärer being selected over e.g. Nyberg and Eskas with more FIFA experience, or ahead of Peljto and Mariani if those two perform well. In short, I think Peljto and Mariani’s World Cup chances rise, while Sánchez and Schärer’s take a hit.

      Delete
  30. Mikael W3 October 2025 at 12:30

    All OFRs from matchday two follow below.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mikael W3 October 2025 at 12:31

      Tuesday

      Egypt-N.Zealand (Al-Turais)
      https://streambug.org/cv/7963fe

      Chile-Japan (Jayed)
      https://streambug.org/cv/06dcf2
      https://streambug.org/cv/2c946b

      Panama-Ukraine (Ortega)
      https://streambug.org/cv/47b86a
      https://streambug.org/cv/4e87ab

      S.Korea-Paraguay (Peljto)
      https://streambug.org/cv/08bb50
      https://streambug.org/cv/2cf24f

      The referee from Bosnia surely faced a very challenging match, awarding ten yellow cards in addition to the one red featured above.

      Delete
    2. Mikael W3 October 2025 at 12:34

      Wednesday

      Italy-Cuba (Aragon)
      https://streambug.org/cv/685708
      https://streambug.org/cv/51fc57
      https://streambug.org/cv/22d099
      https://streambug.org/cv/a29281
      https://streambug.org/cv/16e01d
      https://streambug.org/cv/a32ae2

      Argentina-Australia (Gamouh)
      https://streambug.org/cv/cc051e
      https://streambug.org/cv/3c0a29
      https://streambug.org/cv/3ea814
      https://streambug.org/cv/3e32a5

      Spain-Mexico (D. Herrera)
      https://streambug.org/cv/cf5337
      https://streambug.org/cv/08e816
      https://streambug.org/cv/732ec3
      https://streambug.org/cv/678b08

      Brazil-Morocco (K. Herrera)
      https://streambug.org/cv/9ac512
      https://streambug.org/cv/c0d1c2
      https://streambug.org/cv/30f378

      Seventeen challenges in four matches, an amazing total. No referee it seemed did a particularly good job, but if one could forgive Gamouh somewhat as a very late replacement, there should be no forgiveness whatsoever for Aragon, whose performance should be rejected in the strongest possible terms.

      Delete
    3. Mikael W3 October 2025 at 12:36

      Thursday

      Colombia-Norway (Garcia Mendoza)
      https://streambug.org/cv/5cad9f
      https://streambug.org/cv/3e4979

      Nigeria-S.Arabia (Pinheiro)
      https://streambug.org/cv/f53203
      https://streambug.org/cv/4adf39

      France-Usa (Tejera)
      https://streambug.org/cv/fed152

      The match between South Africa and New Caledonia (Nasaruddin) was played without any challenges. A very good non-native command of English by Katia Garcia and an accurate impression from Pinheiro stand out from these five clips.

      Delete
  31. Philipp S3 October 2025 at 20:53

    WCQ predictions
    NIR-SVK: Jovanovic GER-LUX: Fotias
    NIR-GER: Meler SVK-LUX: Saggi

    SWE-SUI: Guida KOS-SVN: Al-Emara
    SVN-SUI: Lukjancukas SWE-KOS: Kruzliak

    BLR-DEN: Fesnic SCO-GRE: Vincic
    DEN-GRE: Letexier SCO-BLR: Berka

    ISL-UKR: Nyberg FRA-AZE: Krogh
    ISL-FRA: Siebert UKR-AZE: Nobre

    ESP-GEO: Sidiropoulos BUL-TÜR: Raczkowski
    TÜR-GEO: Turpin ESP-BUL: Obrenovic

    HUN-ARM: Makkelie POR-IRL: Balakin
    IRL-ARM: Gishamer POR-HUN: Massa

    MLT-NED: Glova FIN-LTU: Xhaja
    LTU-POL: Bognar NED-FIN: Taylor

    CYP-BIH: Walsh AUT-SMR: Jug
    ROU-AUT: Zwayer SMR-CYP: Derevniskyi

    EST-ITA: Martinez NOR-ISR: Gil Manzano
    ITA-ISR: Marciniak EST-MDA: Schlager

    BEL-MKD: Grinfeeld KAZ-LIE: Milanovic
    WAL-BEL: Eskas MKD-KAZ: Jorgji

    SRB-ALB: Gözübüyük LVA-AND: Vergoote
    LVA-ENG: Schnyder AND-SRB: Papapetrou

    CZE-CRO: Kovacs FAR-MNE: Kruashvili
    FAR-CZE: Hernandez CRO-GIB: van der Eijk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nerazzuri4 October 2025 at 10:36

      Expecting a bigger name in serbia albania, also in belgium macedonia.. but if gozubuyuk and grinfeeld are appointed there would be big for them

      Delete
    2. Philipp S4 October 2025 at 12:43

      Sure, but all the games between the top 3 in a group are quite important at this point and there are a lot of them. So you can't put a top Elite on every one.

      Delete
  32. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf3 October 2025 at 21:15

    You don't tell luis godinho?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philipp S4 October 2025 at 08:16

      You are right, probably he is more likely than Nobre, so he could do UKR-AZE.

      Delete
  33. Mikael W4 October 2025 at 00:34

    Panama-S.Korea (Artan)
    https://streambug.org/cv/186485
    https://streambug.org/cv/df9800

    I just watched this game - the first review was a pretty frivolous challenge by Korea but the second is quite an interesting handball call, defender playing the ball himself vs. ball-to-arm and that the uncontrolled manner in which he kicked the ball had set the attacker up very well. Artan refused it, which is surely the expected call according to instructions. The overall manner in which the Somalian referee handled the (important) match was decent, but I cannot help but think the technical deficiencies in his refereeing which are well-masked by his firm and bull-like stance on the FoP might cost him when the final dice are rolled in the WC2026 selection process.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Andrei4 October 2025 at 10:44

    OT: https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/282a472da712b852/original/Mutaz-Ibrahim_20062025.pdf what happened with Ibrahim Mutaz (LIB)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilava4 October 2025 at 13:28

      Reading between the lines, he allegedly harassed a female masseuse/physio during a session. That's why he wasn't appointed as a FO in CWC MD3.

      Unless he happened to be cleared of all charges, he should be not only 100% discarded for WC26 but probably finished in FIFA refereeing generally.

      Delete
  35. Andrei4 October 2025 at 16:40

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u76iW2jAMPo

    Schaerer regular ARs, Stephane De Almeida and Jonas Erni on duty in Kazakhstan Cup Final Ordabasy-Tobol

    Ordabasy-Tobol
    Referee: Sven Wolfensberger (SUI)
    Assistant Referee 1: Stephane de Almeida (SUI)
    Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni (SUI)
    Fourth Official: Daniyl Gorda (KAZ)
    Video Assistant Referee: Johanned von Mandach (SUI)
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Arman Ismuratov (KAZ)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrei4 October 2025 at 18:49

      Who is SUI Referee Committee Director? Very interesting to see SUI referees developing, Schaerer, Fanhdrich, Schynder. I never seen Wolfensberger before but this young referee show another talent from SUI, excellent performance from Wolfensberger in full house and also new stadium in Kazakhstan.

      Delete
    2. Mikael W4 October 2025 at 20:14

      Thanks so much for reporting this appointment! I watched the game too and absolutely agree, very good and impressive performance by Wolfensberger as a total international novice. The extent to which his presence on the FoP resembles Siebert is absolutely extraordinary, the Swiss could quite concieveably play as a 'stunt double' to him! If 45min good minutes in Scotland-Spain was sufficient to launch Lukas Fahndrich's career in UEFA circles, then this showing is absolutely enough to earn Wolfensberger (at least) a debut in the Conference League. Contrary to Schnyder, one of the weakest officials in the top two UEFA categories, it seems that Wolfensberger is a very good referee and I will watch his progress now with keen interest!

      Delete
  36. diego6124 October 2025 at 18:02

    Well, with the last set of appointments we can confirm the "silent punishment" for Rojas...A shame for the Colombian.

    And reading about Mutaz leaves me speechless... we don't know what really happened, but, if so, a shame for refereeing in general.

    Both should be out of the race for WC26. (Ecuadorian Aragon too, I had never seen such a deficient referee... not to say terrible, he shows it in CONMEBOL and not to mention in FIFA...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DayStare94 October 2025 at 22:49

      If the allegations are proven to be true and are as serious as they implicitly sound, I completely agree, he should be done not just with WC 2026 but with the FIFA list in general.

      However, we shouldn’t rush to judgement, so far they are just allegations as far as I know, with no proof yet. It’s important to wait until we have all the information before condemning someone.

      Delete
  37. usaref4 October 2025 at 19:16

    Blanchard is hurt. An Omani AR will be in that crew. Brown moves to AR1.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. diego6124 October 2025 at 21:56

      The level of injuries this tournament is unbelievable…

      Delete
  38. Nerazzuri4 October 2025 at 21:37

    Good performance by Taylor in Chelsea Liverpool.. people calling for penalty on Garnacho but don’t feel it was

    ReplyDelete
  39. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf4 October 2025 at 22:26

    I think also the tournament of jose maria sanchez is over

    ReplyDelete
  40. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf4 October 2025 at 22:27

    I think pinheiro is performing very well still now

    ReplyDelete
  41. Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf4 October 2025 at 23:24

    The spanish referee is fearful fall back penalty and red card inspired by imagination is given realmadrid

    ReplyDelete

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