2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Qatar, 3 - 27 November 2025.
Group Stage
Matchday 1
SOUTH AFRICA - BOLIVIA
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara JPN
Assistant Referee 1: Takeshi Asada JPN
Assistant Referee 2: Satoshi Michiyama JPN
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jorgen Valstadsve NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Takeshi Asada JPN
Assistant Referee 2: Satoshi Michiyama JPN
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jorgen Valstadsve NOR
3 November 2025, 13:30 CET
COSTA RICA - UAE
COSTA RICA - UAE
Referee: Marian Barbu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: George Neacsu ROU
Fourth Official: Vasileios Fotias GRE
Reserve Assistant Referee: Andreas Meintanas GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: George Neacsu ROU
Fourth Official: Vasileios Fotias GRE
Reserve Assistant Referee: Andreas Meintanas GRE
3 November 2025, 14:00 CET
SENEGAL - CROATIA
SENEGAL - CROATIA
Referee: Fernando Vejar CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Serrano CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Poblete CHI
Fourth Official: Roberto Pérez PER
Reserve Assistant Referee: Leonar Soto PER
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Serrano CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Poblete CHI
Fourth Official: Roberto Pérez PER
Reserve Assistant Referee: Leonar Soto PER
3 November 2025, 14:30 CET
JAPAN - MOROCCO
JAPAN - MOROCCO
Referee: Andrea Colombo ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Fourth Official: Sander Van Der Eijik NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rens Bluemink NED
Assistant Referee 1: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Fourth Official: Sander Van Der Eijik NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rens Bluemink NED
3 November 2025, 15:45 CET
ARGENTINA - BELGIUM
ARGENTINA - BELGIUM
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin UZB
Assistant Referee 1: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
Assistant Referee 2: Akmal Giyosov UZB
Fourth Official: Steven Madrigal CRC
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jeriel Valverde CRC
Assistant Referee 1: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
Assistant Referee 2: Akmal Giyosov UZB
Fourth Official: Steven Madrigal CRC
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jeriel Valverde CRC
3 November 2025, 16:15 CET
NEW CALEDONIA - PORTUGAL
Referee: Jelly Chavani RSANEW CALEDONIA - PORTUGAL
Assistant Referee 1: Sirak Samuel Mengis ERI
Assistant Referee 2: Hamdani Ally TAN
Fourth Official: Choi Hyunjai KOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Bang Giyeol KOR
3 November 2025, 16:45 CET
QATAR - ITALY
QATAR - ITALY
Referee: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Sousa BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima BRA
Fourth Official: Derlis Lopez PAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Roberto Canete PAR
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Sousa BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima BRA
Fourth Official: Derlis Lopez PAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Roberto Canete PAR
3 November 2025, 16:45 CET
TUNISIA - FIJI
TUNISIA - FIJI
Referee: Ivo Mendez BOL
Assistant Referee 1: Edward Saavedra BOL
Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Antelo BOL
Fourth Official: Yender Herrera VEN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Antoni Garcia VEN
Assistant Referee 1: Edward Saavedra BOL
Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Antelo BOL
Fourth Official: Yender Herrera VEN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Antoni Garcia VEN
4 November 2025, 13:30 CET
IVORY COAST - SWITZERLAND
IVORY COAST - SWITZERLAND
Referee: Mohammed Al Shammari QAT
Assistant Referee 1: Khaled Khalaf QAT
Assistant Referee 2: Faisal Al Shammari QAT
Fourth Official: Fernando Vejar CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Juan Serrano CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Khaled Khalaf QAT
Assistant Referee 2: Faisal Al Shammari QAT
Fourth Official: Fernando Vejar CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Juan Serrano CHI
4 November 2025, 13:30 CET
BRAZIL - HONDURAS
BRAZIL - HONDURAS
Referee: Faisal Albalawi KSA
Assistant Referee 1: Faisal Alqahtani KSA
Assistant Referee 2: Ibrahim Aldakhil KSA
Fourth Official: Hiroki Kasahara JPN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Takeshi Asada JPN
Assistant Referee 1: Faisal Alqahtani KSA
Assistant Referee 2: Ibrahim Aldakhil KSA
Fourth Official: Hiroki Kasahara JPN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Takeshi Asada JPN
4 November 2025, 14:00 CET
MEXICO - SOUTH KOREA
MEXICO - SOUTH KOREA
Referee: Abdou Mefire CMR
Assistant Referee 1: Eleyeh Robleh DJI
Assistant Referee 2: Joel Doe LBR
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Eleyeh Robleh DJI
Assistant Referee 2: Joel Doe LBR
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
4 November 2025, 14:30 CET
HAITI - EGYPT
HAITI - EGYPT
Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Michele Seeldraeyers BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Fourth Official: Marian Barbu ROU
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Michele Seeldraeyers BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Fourth Official: Marian Barbu ROU
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
4 November 2025, 15:45 CET
INDONESIA - ZAMBIA
INDONESIA - ZAMBIA
Referee: Adonis Carrasco DOM
Assistant Referee 1: José Bare Milano DOM
Assistant Referee 2: Lendy Taveras DOM
Fourth Official: Roberto Pérez PER
Reserve Assistant Referee: José Castillo PER
Assistant Referee 1: José Bare Milano DOM
Assistant Referee 2: Lendy Taveras DOM
Fourth Official: Roberto Pérez PER
Reserve Assistant Referee: José Castillo PER
4 November 2025, 15:45 CET
NORTH KOREA - EL SALVADOR
NORTH KOREA - EL SALVADOR
Referee: Tanguy Mebiame GAB
Assistant Referee 1: Salim Alao BEN
Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne GAB
Fourth Official: Ivo Mendez BOL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Edward Saavedra BOL
Assistant Referee 1: Salim Alao BEN
Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne GAB
Fourth Official: Ivo Mendez BOL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Edward Saavedra BOL
4 November 2025, 15:45 CET
GERMANY - COLOMBIA
GERMANY - COLOMBIA
Referee: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Assistant Referee 1: Hamza Naciri MAR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Dhouioui TUN
Fourth Official: Jelly Chavani RSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Sirak Samuel Mengis ERI
Assistant Referee 1: Hamza Naciri MAR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Dhouioui TUN
Fourth Official: Jelly Chavani RSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Sirak Samuel Mengis ERI
4 November 2025, 16:15 CET
ENGLAND - VENEZUELA
Referee: Filip Dujic CAN ENGLAND - VENEZUELA
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Gerard-Kader Lebuis CAN
Fourth Official: Rustam Lutfullin UZB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
5 November 2025, 13:30 CET
TAJIKISTAN - CZECH REPUBLIC
Referee: Ben Aukwai SOLTAJIKISTAN - CZECH REPUBLIC
Assistant Referee 1: Malaetala Salanoa SAM
Assistant Referee 2: Garet Sheehan NZL
Fourth Official: Abdou Mefire CMR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Eleyeh Robleh DJI
5 November 2025, 13:30 CET
PANAMA - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Referee: Yender Herrera VENPANAMA - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Assistant Referee 1: Antoni Garcia VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Erizon Nieto VEN
Fourth Official: Mohammed Al Shammmari QAT
Reserve Assistant Referee: Khaled Khalaf QAT
5 November 2025, 13:30 CET
AUSTRIA - SAUDI ARABIA
Referee: Derlis Lopez PAR AUSTRIA - SAUDI ARABIA
Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Canete PAR
Assistant Referee 2: Eduardo Britos PAR
Fourth Official: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Nailton Oliveira BRA
5 November 2025, 14:00 CET
PARAGUAY - UZBEKISTAN
Referee: Rohit Saggi NORPARAGUAY - UZBEKISTAN
Assistant Referee 1: Jorgen Valstadsve NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ole Andreas Haukasen NOR
Fourth Official: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Hamza Naciri MAR
5 November 2025, 15:45 CET
MALI - NEW ZEALAND
Referee: Vasileios Fotias GREMALI - NEW ZEALAND
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Meintanas GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Michail Papadakis GRE
Fourth Official: Filip Dujic CAN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
5 November 2025, 16:15 CET
USA - BURKINA FASO
Referee: Sander van der Eijk NEDUSA - BURKINA FASO
Assistant Referee 1: Rens Bluemink NED
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan De Groot NED
Fourth Official: Faisal Albalawi KSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Faisal Alqahtani KSA
5 November 2025, 16:45 CET
FRANCE - CHILE
Referee: Steven Madrigal CRCFRANCE - CHILE
Assistant Referee 1: Jeriel Valverde CRC
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Granados CRC
Fourth Official: Rustam Lutfullin UZB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Akmal Giyosov UZB
5 November 2025, 16:45 CET
CANADA - UGANDA
Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi UKRCANADA - UGANDA
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksii Myronov UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Viktor Matyash UKR
Fourth Official: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Michele Seeldraeyers BEL
Matchday 2
6 November 2025, 13:30 CET
BOLIVIA - ITALY
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai KORAssistant Referee 1: Bang Gi-yeol KOR
Assistant Referee 2: Cheon Jin-hee KOR
Fourth Official: Steven Madrigal CRC
Reserve Assistant Referee: Luis Granados CRC
6 November 2025, 13:30 CET
PORTUGAL - MOROCCO
Referee: Roberto Pérez PERPORTUGAL - MOROCCO
Assistant Referee 1: Leonar Soto PER
Assistant Referee 2: José Castillo PER
Fourth Official: Derlis López PAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Eduardo Britos PAR
6 November 2025, 14:00 CET
JAPAN - NEW CALEDONIA
Referee: Kwinsi Williams TRIJAPAN - NEW CALEDONIA
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard TRI
Assistant Referee 2: Kirt Charles TRI
Fourth Official: Vasileios Fotias GRE
Reserve Assistant Referee: Michail Papadakis GRE
6 November 2025, 14:15 CET
UAE - CROATIA
UAE - CROATIA
Referee: Ivo Mendez BOL
Assistant Referee 1: Edward Saavedra BOL
Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Antelo BOL
Fourth Official: Adonis Carrasco DOM Reserve Assistant Referee: José Bare Milano DOM
6 November 2025, 14:30 CET
ARGENTINA - TUNISIA
Referee: Andrea Colombo ITAARGENTINA - TUNISIA
Assistant Referee 1: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Fourth Official: Oleksii Derevinskyi UKR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Oleksii Myronov UKR
6 November 2025, 14:45 CET
SENEGAL - COSTA RICA
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara JPN
Assistant Referee 1: Takeshi Asada JPN
Assistant Referee 2: Satoshi Michiyama JPN
Fourth Official: Sander Van Der Eijk NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Stefan De Groot NED
6 November 2025, 15:45 CET
FIJI - BELGIUM
FIJI - BELGIUM
Referee: Jelly Chavani RSA
Assistant Referee 1: Sirak Samuel Mengis ERI
Assistant Referee 2: Hamdani Ally TAN
Assistant Referee 2: Hamdani Ally TAN
Fourth Official: Tanguy Mebiame GAB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Salim Alao BEN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Salim Alao BEN
6 November 2025, 16:45 CET
QATAR - SOUTH AFRICA
QATAR - SOUTH AFRICA
Referee: Fernando Vejar CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Serrano CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Poblete CHIFourth Official: Yender Herrera VEN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Erizon Nieto VEN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Erizon Nieto VEN
7 November 2025, 13:30 CET
ENGLAND - HAITI
ENGLAND - HAITI
Referee: Mohammed Al Shammari QAT
Assistant Referee 1: Khaled Khalaf QAT
Assistant Referee 2: Faisal Al Shammari QAT
Fourth Official: Choi Hyun-jai KOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Cheon Jin-hee KOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Cheon Jin-hee KOR
7 November 2025, 13:30 CET
EL SALVADOR - COLOMBIA
EL SALVADOR - COLOMBIA
Referee: Marian Barbu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: George Neacsu ROU
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ole Andreas Haukasen NOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ole Andreas Haukasen NOR
7 November 2025, 14:00 CET
GERMANY - NORTH KOREA
GERMANY - NORTH KOREA
Referee: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Sousa BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima BRA
Fourth Official: Ivo Méndez BOL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jesús Antelo BOL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jesús Antelo BOL
7 November 2025, 14:30 CET
EGYPT - VENEZUELA
EGYPT - VENEZUELA
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin UZB
Assistant Referee 1: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
Assistant Referee 2: Akmal Giyosov UZB
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Giovanni Baccini ITA
7 November 2025, 15:45 CET
MEXICO - IVORY COAST
Referee: Faisal Albalawi KSA
Assistant Referee 1: Faisal Alqahtani KSA
Assistant Referee 2: Ibrahim Aldakhil KSA
Fourth Official: Hiroki Kasahara JPN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Satoshi Michiyama JPN
7 November 2025, 16:15 CET
SWITZERLAND - SOUTH KOREA
Referee: Filip Dujic CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Gerard-Kader Lebuis CAN
Fourth Official: Kwinsi Williams TRI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ainsley Rochard TRI
7 November 2025, 16:45 CET
BRAZIL - INDONESIA
BRAZIL - INDONESIA
Referee: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Assistant Referee 1: Hamza Naciri MAR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Dhouioui TUN
Fourth Official: Jelly Chavani RSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Hamdani Ally TAN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Hamdani Ally TAN
7 November 2025, 16:45 CET
ZAMBIA - HONDURAS
ZAMBIA - HONDURAS
Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Michele Seeldraeyers BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Fourth Official: Sander van der Eijk NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rens Bluemink NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rens Bluemink NED
8 November 2025, 13:30 CET
CZECH REPUBLIC - BURKINA FASO
CZECH REPUBLIC - BURKINA FASO
Referee: Adonis Carrasco DOM
Assistant Referee 1: Jose Bare Milano DOM
Assistant Referee 2: Lendy Taveras DOM
Fourth Official: Filip Dujic CAN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Gerard-Kader Lebuis CAN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Gerard-Kader Lebuis CAN
8 November 2025 13:30 CET
UGANDA - CHILE
UGANDA - CHILE
Referee: Sander van der Eijk NED
Assistant Referee 1: Rens Bluemink NED
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan De Groot NED
Fourth Official: Faisal Al-Balawi KSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ibrahim Al-Dakhil KSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ibrahim Al-Dakhil KSA
8 November 2025, 14:00 CET
MALI - AUSTRIA
MALI - AUSTRIA
Referee: Steven Madrigal CRC
Assistant Referee 1:Luis Granados CRC
Assistant Referee 2:Jeriel Valverde CRCFourth Official: Ben Aukwai SOL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Malaetala Salanoa SAM
8 November 2025, 14:30 CET
FRANCE - CANADA
FRANCE - CANADA
Referee: Yender Herrera VEN
Assistant Referee 1: Antoni Garcia VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Erizon Nieto VEN
Fourth Official: Paulo Znovelli BRA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Luanderson Lima BRA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Luanderson Lima BRA
8 November 2025, 15:45 CET
USA - TAJIKISTAN
USA - TAJIKISTAN
Referee: Tanguy Mebiame GAB
Assistant Referee 1: Salim Alao BEN
Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne GAB
Fourth Official: Rustam Lutfullin UZB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
8 November 2025, 16:15 CET
PARAGUAY - PANAMA
PARAGUAY - PANAMA
Referee: Vasileios Fotias GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Meintanas GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Michail Papadakis GRE
Fourth Official: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Martijn Tiesters BEL
8 November 2025, 16:45 CET
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - UZBEKISTAN
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - UZBEKISTAN
Referee: Abdou Mefire CMR
Assistant Referee 1: Eleyeh Robleh DJI
Assistant Referee 2: Joel Doe LBR
Fourth Official: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ahmed Dhouioui TUN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ahmed Dhouioui TUN
8 November 2025, 16:45 CET
SAUDI ARABA - NEW ZEALAND
SAUDI ARABA - NEW ZEALAND
Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksii Myronov UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Viktor Matyash UKR
Fourth Official: Marian Barbu ROU
Reserve Assistant Referee: George Neacsu ROU
Reserve Assistant Referee: George Neacsu ROU
Matchday 3
9 November 2025, 13:30 CET
FIJI - ARGENTINA
Referee: Kwinsi Williams TRI
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard TRI
Assistant Referee 2: Kirt Charles TRI
Fourth Official: Abdou Mefire CMR Reserve Assistant Referee: Abdou Mefire GIB
9 November 2025, 13:30 CET
BELGIUM - TUNISIA
Referee: Ivo Mendez BOL
Assistant Referee 1: Edward Saavedra BOL
Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Antelo BOL
Fourth Official: Steven Madrigal CRCReserve Assistant Referee: Jeriel Valverde CRC
9 November 2025, 14:30 CET
PORTUGAL - JAPAN
Referee: Fernando Vejar CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Serrano CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Poblete CHI
Fourth Official: Adonis Carrasco DOM Reserve Assistant Referee: Lendy Taveras DOM
9 November 2025, 14:30 CET
MOROCCO - NEW CALEDONIA
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai KORAssistant Referee 1: Bang Gi-yeol KOR
Assistant Referee 2: Cheon Jin-hee KOR
Fourth Official: Sander Van Der Eijk NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Stefan De Groot NED
9 November 2025, 15:45 CET
UAE - SENEGAL
Referee: Roberto Pérez PERAssistant Referee 1: Leonar Soto PER
Assistant Referee 2: José Castillo PER
Fourth Official:Vasileios Fotias GRE
Reserve Assistant Referee: Andreas Meintanas GRE
Reserve Assistant Referee: Andreas Meintanas GRE
9 November 2025, 15:45 CET
CROATIA - COSTA RICA
Referee: Jelly Chavani RSA
Assistant Referee 1: Sirak Samuel Mengis ERI
Assistant Referee 2: Hamdani Ally TAN
Fourth Official: Faisal Al-Balawi KSAReserve Assistant Referee: Faisal Al-Qahtani KSA
9 November 2025, 16:45 CET
BOLIVIA - QATAR
Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jorgen Valstadsve NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ole Andreas Haukasen NOR
Fourth Official: Oleksii Derevinskyi UKRReserve Assistant Referee: Viktor Matyash UKR
9 November 2025, 16:45 CET
ITALY - SOUTH AFRICA
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara JPN
Assistant Referee 1: Takeshi Asada JPN
Assistant Referee 2: Satoshi Michiyama JPN
Fourth Official: Ben Aukwai SOLReserve Assistant Referee: Gareth Sheehan NZL
10 November 2025, 13:30 CET
SWITZERLAND - MEXICO
Referee: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Assistant Referee 1: Hamza Naciri MAR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Dhouioui TUN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Edwar Saavedra BOL
10 November 2025, 13:30 CET
SOUTH KOREA - IVORY COAST
Referee: Derlis Lopez PAR
Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Canete PAR
Assistant Referee 2: Eduardo Britos PAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Kirt Charles TRI
10 November 2025, 14:30 CET
EL SALVADOR - GERMANY
Referee: Mohammed Al Shammari QAT
Assistant Referee 1: Khaled Khalaf QAT
Assistant Referee 2: Faisal Al Shammari QAT
Reserve Assistant Referee: Choi Hyun-jai KOR
10 November 2025, 14:30 CET
COLOMBIA - NORTH KOREA
Referee: Andrea Colombo ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NORReserve Assistant Referee: Jorgen Valstadsve NOR
10 November 2025, 15:45 CET
ZAMBIA - BRAZIL
Referee: Ben Aukwai SOL
Assistant Referee 1: Malaetala Salanoa SAM
Assistant Referee 2: Garet Sheehan NZL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Takeshi Asada JPN
10 November 2025, 15:45 CET
HONDURAS - INDONESIA
Referee: Marian Barbu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: George Neacsu ROU
Reserve Assistant Referee: Leonar Soto PER
10 November 2025, 16:45 CET
VENEZUELA - HAITI
Referee: Faisal Albalawi KSA
Assistant Referee 1: Faisal Alqahtani KSA
Assistant Referee 2: Ibrahim Aldakhil KSA
Fourth Official: Abdou Mefire CMR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Joel Doe LBR
10 November 2025, 16:45 CET
EGYPT - ENGLAND
Referee: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Sousa BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima BRA
Fourth Official: Fernando Vejar CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Carlos Poblete CHI
11 November 2025, 13:30 CET
UGANDA - FRANCE
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin UZB
Assistant Referee 1: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
Assistant Referee 2: Akmal Giyosov UZB
Fourth Official: Kwinsi Williams TRI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Kirt Charles TRI
11 November 2025, 13:30 CET
CHILE - CANADA
Referee: Vasileios Fotias GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Meintanas GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Michail Papadakis GRE
Fourth Official: Mohammed Al-Shammmari QAT
Reserve Assistant Referee: Faisal Al Shammari QAT
11 November 2025, 14:30 CET
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - PARAGUAY
Referee: Filip Dujic CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Gerard-Kader Lebuis CAN
Fourth Official: Stevan Madrigal CRC
Reserve Assistant Referee: Luis Granados CRC
11 November 2025, 14:30 CET
UZBEKISTAN - PANAMA
Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksii Myronov UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Viktor Matyash UKR
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
11 November 2025, 15:45 CET
CZECH REPUBLIC - USA
Referee: Yender Herrera VEN
Assistant Referee 1: Antoni Garcia VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Erizon Nieto VEN
Fourth Official: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Nailton Oliveira BRA
11 November 2025, 15:45 CET
BURKINA FASO - TAJIKISTAN
Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Michele Seeldraeyers BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Fourth Official: Marian Barbu ROU
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
11 November 2025, 16:45 CET
SAUDI ARABIA - MALI
Referee: Sander van der Eijk NED
Assistant Referee 1: Rens Bluemink NED
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan De Groot NED
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ole Andreas Haukasen NOR
11 November 2025, 16:45 CET
NEW ZEALAND - AUSTRIA
Referee: Tanguy Mebiame GAB
Assistant Referee 1: Salim Alao BEN
Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne GAB
Fourth Official: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Hamza Naciri MAR
Round of 32
14 November 2025, 13:30 CET
ZAMBIA - MALI
Referee: Yender Herrera VEN
Assistant Referee 1: Antoni Garcia VEN
Assistant Referee 2: Erizon Nieto VEN
Fourth Official: Ivo Méndez BOL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Edwar Saavedra BOL
14 November 2025, 13:30 CET
PORTUGAL - BELGIUM
Referee: Marian Barbu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: George Neacsu ROU
Fourth Official: Rustam Lutfullin UZB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
14 November 2025, 14:00 CET
SWITZERLAND - EGYPT
Referee: Derlis Lopez PAR
Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Canete PAR
Assistant Referee 2: Eduardo Britos PAR
Fourth Official: Adonis Carrasco DOM
Reserve Assistant Referee: José Bare Milano DOM
14 November 2025, 14:30 CET
FRANCE - COLOMBIA
Referee: Filip Dujic CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Gerard-Kader Lebuis CAN
Fourth Official: Hiroki Kasahara JPN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Takeshi Asada JPN
14 November 2025, 15:45 CET
ARGENTINA - MEXICO
Referee: Andrea Colombo ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Fourth Official: Vasileios Fotias GRE
Reserve Assistant Referee: Andreas Meintanas GRE
14 November 2025, 16:15 CET
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - CANADA
Referee: Jelly Chavani RSA
Assistant Referee 1: Sirak Samuel Mengis ERI
Assistant Referee 2: Hamdani Ally TAN
Fourth Official: Faisal Albalawi KSA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Faisal Alqahtani KSA
14 November 2025, 16:45 CET
USA - MOROCCO
Referee: Roberto Pérez PER
Assistant Referee 1: Leonar Soto PER
Assistant Referee 2: José Castillo PER
Fourth Official: Fernando Vejar CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Juan Serrano CHI
14 November 2025, 16:45 CET
BRAZIL - PARAGUAY
Referee: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Michele Seeldraeyers BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Martijn Tiesters BEL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Ahmed Dhouioui TUN
15 November 2025, 13:30 CET
SENEGAL - UGANDA
Referee: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Sousa BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima BRA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Antoni Garcia VEN
15 November 2025, 13:30 CET
SOUTH KOREA - ENGLAND
Referee: Abdou Mefire CMR
Assistant Referee 1: Eleyeh Robleh DJI
Assistant Referee 2: Joel Doe LBR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Hamza Nassiri MAR
15 November 2025, 14:00 CET
ITALY - CZECH REPUBLIC
Referee: Sander van der Eijk NED
Assistant Referee 1: Rens Bluemink NED
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan De Groot NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Khaled Khalaf QAT
15 November 2025, 14:30 CET
JAPAN - SOUTH AFRICA
Referee: Steven Madrigal CRC
Assistant Referee 1: Jeriel Valverde CRC
Assistant Referee 2: Luis Granados CRC
Reserve Assistant Referee: Oleksii Myronov UKR
15 November 2025, 15:45 CET
GERMANY - BURKINA FASO
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai KOR
Assistant Referee 1: Bang Gi-yeol KOR
Assistant Referee 2: Cheon Jin-hee KOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Malaetala Salanoa SAM
15 November 2025, 16:15 CET
VENEZUELA - NORTH KOREA
Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jorgen Valstadsve NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ole Andreas Haukasen NOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
15 November 2025, 16:45 CET
AUSTRIA - TUNISIA
Referee: Kwinsi Williams TRI
Assistant Referee 1: Ainsley Rochard TRI
Assistant Referee 2: Kirt Charles TRI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Lendy Taveras DOM
15 November 2025, 16:45 CET
CROATIA - UZBEKISTAN
Referee: Tanguy Mebiame GAB
Assistant Referee 1: Salim Alao BEN
Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne GAB
Fourth Official: Filip Dujic CAN Assistant Referee 1: Salim Alao BEN
Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne GAB
Reserve Assistant Referee: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
Round of 16
18 November 2025, 13:30 CET
ITALY - UZBEKISTAN
Referee: Ivo Mendez BOL
Assistant Referee 1: Edwar Saavedra BOL
Assistant Referee 2: Jesus Antelo BOL
Fourth Official: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Nailton Oliveira BRA
18 November 2025, 13:30 CET
UGANDA - BURKINA FASO
Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi UKR
Assistant Referee 1: Oleksii Myronov UKR
Assistant Referee 2: Viktor Matyash UKR
Fourth Official: Jasper Vergoote BEL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Michele Seeldraeyers BEL
18 November 2025, 14:00 CET
MEXICO - PORTUGAL
Referee: Fernando Vejar CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Serrano CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Poblete CHI
Fourth Official: Roberto Perez PER
Reserve Assistant Referee: Leonar Soto PER
18 November 2025, 14:30 CET
BRAZIL - FRANCE
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin UZB
Assistant Referee 1: Sanjar Shayusupov UZB
Assistant Referee 2: Akmal Giyosov UZB
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Reserve Assistant Referee: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
18 November 2025, 15:45 CET
SWITZERLAND - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Referee: Mohammed Al Shammari QAT
Assistant Referee 1: Khaled Khalaf QAT
Assistant Referee 2: Faisal Al Shammari QAT
Fourth Official: Filip Dujic CAN
Reserve Assistant: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
18 November 2025, 16:15 CET
NORTH KOREA - JAPAN
Referee: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Assistant Referee 1: Hamza Naciri MAR
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Dhouioui TUN
Fourth Official: Sander van der Eijk NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rens Bluemink NED
18 November 2025, 16:45 CET
AUSTRIA - ENGLAND
Referee: Faisal Albalawi KSA
Assistant Referee 1: Faisal Alqahtani KSA
Assistant Referee 2: Ibrahim Aldakhil KSA
Fourth Official: Choi Hyunjai KOR
Reserve Assistant Referee: Bang Giyeol KOR
18 November 2025, 16:45 CET
MOROCCO - MALI
Referee: Vasileios Fotias GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Andreas Meintanas GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Michail Papadakis GRE
Fourth Official: Marian Barbu ROU
Reserve Assistant Referee: Mircea Grigoriu ROU
Quarterfinals
21 November 2025, 13:30 CET
AUSTRIA - JAPAN
Referee: Paulo Zanovelli BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Nailton Sousa BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Luanderson Lima BRA
Fourth Official: Ivo Mendez BOL
Reserve Assistant Referee: Edwar Saavedra BOL
21 November 2025, 14:30 CET
ITALY - BURKINA FASO
Referee: Bruno Perez PER
Assistant Referee 1: Leonar Soto PER
Assistant Referee 2: José Castillo PER
Fourth Official: Fernando Vejar CHI
Reserve Assistant Referee: Juan Serrano CHI
21 November 2025, 15:45 CET
PORTUGAL - SWITZERLAND
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai KOR
Assistant Referee 1: Bang Gi-yeol KOR
Assistant Referee 2: Cheon Jin-hee KOR
Fourth Official: Sander Van Der Eijk NED
Reserve Assistant Referee: Rens Bluemink NED
21 November 2025, 16:45 CET
MOROCCO - BRAZIL
Referee: Andrea Colombo ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Fourth Official:: Filip Dujic CAN
Reserve Assistant Referee: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
West Ham-Newcastle. Penalty for WH whistled, then OFR. Defender first touched the ball hardly, but milisecond later it was clear foul. Penalty annuled due to this small contact with the ball. But it was clear tackle, clear foul for me, nevertheless the defender played the ball first. Even though he did, the attacker could play it and he was in GS opportunity - he would do that but he was foyled. I really can’t ever understand most of referees’ decisions in Premier league. Million penalties like this one were given in decades, and today it is not PK.
ReplyDeleteSimilar situations have already happened several times, and the verdict is always the same. On the one hand, it's good that the same criterion is followed, but on the other hand, I don't know how correct it is.
DeleteSo, the defender minimally touches the ball and then stops the attacker with a clean foul. I wonder if this is correct?
It is consistent with recent application in the PL. Expectation is if the ball is touched first, if nothing reckless or worse happens after, it's a good clean tackle. I think most are happy with this understanding (in the English context)
DeleteEredivisie: Sparta - AZ.
ReplyDeleteWouter Goes versus Denny Makkelie!
https://x.com/ESPNnl/status/1985009621090918779
First, Goes and Lauritsen both received YCs. This video continues from there. There were no further cards.
I don’t think a referee should be pushing players, but in this case Makkelie actually gets applause for it. Goes is a defiant player, and no one dares to confront him, not AZ and not other referees. I think Makkelie reacted instinctively because of his police background. Not the right thing to do, but very understandable.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the end, Makkelie won, because after that, Goes suddenly became as sweet as a kitten.
Agreed.
DeleteThe important point is that if Goes had whined about it, he would have been a real loser.
There might be better ways to do it, but against players like Goes, this is definitely effective.
Highly unacceptable behaviour from a referee. The player or team could easily report it and it could lead to a scandal. Give a yellow card or warning. Literally provocing a fight as a referee that had nothing to do with you just shows that he has personal emotions in the game.
DeleteMakkelie learned from the best: Pierluigi Collina :-)
DeleteCOSTA RICA - UAE
ReplyDeleteReferee: Marian Barbu (ROU)
Very challenging game for the Romanian referee, but overall he handled it great, what was emotional game especially with the mass confrontation in the 88th minute and FVS’s request. He also made the right decision by denying FVS’s last minute request. He showed great patience throughout the match.
RC for SFP given by Kasahara after FVS challenge.
ReplyDeletehttps://streamain.com/en/T5ZCPxNJqy3FpnP/watch
The DOGSO RC given by Barbu in CRCUAE, upheld after FVS challenge.
https://streamain.com/en/V3l5T7Zfgw4mV8h/watch
In JPNMAR, Colombo disallowed a goal for Japan for an accidental handball in the APP, seems like an ex officio intervention by FO van der Eijk (FOs have the duty to review every goal on video once they are scored and inform the ref if they see a clear&obvious mistake in allowing it, like VARs) rather than because Moroccan bench asked for it. Good spot by the Dutch referee, as nobody complained on-field.
ReplyDeleteIn NCLPOR, a Portuguese goal was cancelled by Chavani after FVS review at the Korean FO's request, for a potential PK for New Caledonia in the APP (!) for a holding inside the area.
ReplyDeleteNot reaaaaally convinced by this call, it's true that the Portuguese defender puts his arm around the New Caledonian attacker's waist, but it looks kinda soft.
Clip: https://streamain.com/en/Ww42Pvdq91u1kSW/watch
What was the disciplinary sanction? YC due to no control for attacker?
DeleteFor me a good use, quite clear and significant holding for me...
ITALY - SOUTH AFRICA
ReplyDeleteReferee: Hiroki Kasahara JPN
Possible RC for SFP
https://streambug.org/cv/e9b99c
Nothing is given, both on the pitch and also after OFR (not even YC).
Whistle before free kick
https://streambug.org/cv/c207e9
Very particular situation, South African player had already started his run-up before the whistle and then when referee whistled he immediately kicked the ball. So, regular action, but the live perception is of an anticipated kick and I think another referee would have stopped and ordered a retake to be sure.
An OFR called by Italy followed but honestly I can't understand what they could have detected as wrong, even in case of late whistle after free kick, I don't think this would have been VAR stuff.
Penalty or free kick?
https://streambug.org/cv/50916a
Penalty decision changed in free kick, honestly here I have some doubts and I don't think that using a light VAR can be final solution for such incidents. Rather useless if no enough cameras and technology, if you ask me.
To add, there was another OFR called by South Africa after an early goal by Italy, but both live and during the OFR was not even clear the reason for it. Extremely quick OFR, referee went to video and after five seconds he confirmed the goal. Live, the sequence had been missed so I don't know how Italy gained ball possession.
It seems a very open use of VAR, in addition to the call by benches, they rewatch all doubtful incidents, honestly one can't understand some points of the reviews.
I was very optimistic at the beginning, but to be honest I am not a big fan of FVS. Too many useless reviews detracts from the game, coaches are too involved and I don’t like the delays to allow coaches to check the video, and I don’t like the “gaming the system” aspects like using a review to get a missed yellow to an opponent (mostly second yellows) or just requesting anything at the end of a game you are losing. I’m seeing a lot of “re-refereeing” the game due to the fact that once you are at the monitor you must come out with everything perfect and nothing incorrect. In my opinion VAR light should be what is used instead of FVS. Same number of people needed to operate the system as FVS with a single RO, only additional requirement is the person is a VMO instead of just an RO.
DeleteIt's incredible, Italian referees getting big games everywhere, Colombo with the classic Argentina - Mexico, hopefully without the same outcome of Rosetti's trio..
ReplyDeleteBoring and predictable choice..
DeleteI realized just now that the Canadian referee at U17 WC is Mr. However... :D sorry for being late!
ReplyDeleteI, too, already knew (and loved) him for these announcements. Aside from their cult status, I also think he exudes a tremendous personality.
DeleteIn the last few hours, several Mexican sources have revealed the 10 CONCACAF referees for WC2026.
ReplyDelete-Cesar Ramos (MEX)
-Katia Garcia (MEX)
-Ismail Elfath (USA)
-Tori Penso (USA)
-Joseph Dickerson (USA)
-Ivan Barton (SLV)
-Drew Fischer (CAN)
-Juan Calderon (CRC)
-Said Martinez (HON)
-Mario Escobar (GUA)
If it's official, USA with 3 names... Obviously there will be support referees (although with this format everyone could get a game) and knowing that USA will send more than 2 names, I would put my hands on the fire that Brazil too (Sampaio, Claus, Abatti)...
We will see…
It seems Colombo gets everything.
ReplyDeleteWhy ? Final for him? Italy permitting…
DeleteI had expected Andrea Colombo for exactly this encounter: it is the only purely non-European duel in the quarterfinals and is therefore ideal for a UEFA referee. In addition, Italy is still represented and would not face Morocco - Brazil in the semifinals. He also was not used as the main referee in the round of 16. Therefore, for me, this is the perfect opportunity to put him in charge there.
DeleteCL predictions:
ReplyDeleteAjax-Benfica: Kruzliak (van Driessche)
Galatasaray-USG: de Burgos (Soto)
Chelsea-Barcelona: Massa (Chiffi)
Dortmund-Villareal: Turpin (Brisard)
ManCity-Leverkusen: Letexier (Delajod)
Bodo-Juventus: Gözübüyük (Dieperink)
Marseille-Newcastle: Sylwestrzak (Lasyk)
Slavia-Bilbao: Jablonski (Storks)
Napoli-Qarabag: Bastien (Millot)
Pafos-Monaco: Godinho (Narciso)
Copenhagen-Almaty: Meler (di Bello)
Arsenal-Bayern: Kovacs (Popa)
Olympiakos-Real: Makkelie (van Boekel)
Atletico-Inter: Zwayer (Dingert)
Liverpool-PSV: Rumsas (Martins)
PSG-Tottenham: Sanchez (Cuadra)
Frankfurt-Atalanta: Oliver (Dallas)
Sporting-Brugge: Guida (di Paolo)
You Expect pinheiro do not game any match despite he have one match?
DeleteI expect arsenal vs bayern munich: joao pinheiro
DeleteYes, because he worked on MD4 and had a big WCQ game. I would rather appoint him on MD6 to balance his workload.
DeleteI use the same argument for Marciniak and Taylor.
i am 99% sure..
DeleteArsenal - Bayern ( Slavko Vincic )
peljto again nothing?
DeleteAfter nothing last time, I would rather expect Peljto in EL first.
DeleteI wonder how the referee commission rates the Ajax - Benfica match: By name, an attractive game, but according to the league table, it's actually a clash between 36th and 35th, so last against second to last, with each team having 0 points from four games. Do you put such a game to a debutant (though that would almost be more of a "punishment" compared to a more significant game in the Europa League)? Or do you select a fairly experienced referee, because it's the last chance not to completely lose touch? A compromise might be a referee who recently made his Champions League debut, but whose level you can't quite judge.
DeleteSo, can we get the FIFA World Cup 2026 referees THIS year? Or only next year?
ReplyDeleteFor sure next year.
DeleteWhat I don't know is whether they will be announced in January/February (just after Intercontinental Cup and Arab Cup end) or in April after European and interconfederal play-offs.
Mr Philip don't forget also he has no game for the beginning of the week and I think that enough to recovery
ReplyDeleteVery early play-off predictions:
ReplyDeleteITA-NIR: Letexier
WAL-BIH: Eskas
Final: Zwayer
UKR-SWE: Schärer
POL-ALB: Vincic
Final: Turpin
TÜR-ROU: Marciniak
SVK-KOS: Siebert
Final: Sanchez
DEN-MKD: Mariani
CZE-IRL: Peljto
Final: Kovacs
NCL-JAM: Makkelie
COD-NCL/JAM: Sampaio
BOL-SUR: Faghani
IRQ-BOL/SUR: Oliver
Its very difficult to predict now , but for sure some of these names will be
DeleteColombo getting the attractive appointments, but that’s what you can expect with an Italian in charge. I don’t think Colombo necessarily needs them, since he already gets enough opportunities in a top-5 League.
ReplyDeleteAs for next week: I expect the Elite referees who have only handled two Champions League matches so far. I’m anticipating a break for the English refs, plus Siebert, Nyberg, Guida, Letexier, and also Marciniak. As Philipp mentioned: spreading the workload.
Vincic’s WC qualifier wasn’t risky (France at home vs. Ukraine), so I expect the Slovenian to receive a big match. The same could apply to Zwayer — also a fairly safe qualifier. And Makkelie as well.
Turpin is interesting. Only two UCL matches so far, and his WC qualifier was somewhat “hidden.” That might imply he’ll get a major UCL clash. He did issue a red card to Slovenia though — considered soft or even incorrect by many here — so I’m curious whether he’ll still get a big game.
I expect Eskas, Sanchez, Manzano, and Gozubuyuk. Pinheiro is also possible; he hasn’t handled many Champions League matches yet, though I’m curious which VAR he’d be paired with.
Kovacs has already done three UCL matches, but his WC qualifier was pretty “mid,” so he could be an option for e.g. Atleti–Inter. But he’s also a candidate for a major appointment on MD6.
Yes especially after his good performance for pinheiro I expect he will appoint arsenal vs bayern or psg vs Tottenham
Delete@Abdiaziz ahmed yousuf:
DeleteWhich encounter are you referring to with 'after his good performance'?
Austria vs bosnia
DeleteAbdiaziz, I don't know the reason you are pushing Pinheiro but he is not as good as he is made out to be. He often loses control of the game. I'm not his fan, but objectively, if he wasn't from Portugal, he wouldn't be ranked so high
Delete😁
DeleteIn my opinion I see him very good referee deserve alot
DeleteI assumed, that Eskas and Nyberg aren't available, because of Arab Cup.I It's not completely clear though, how early they need to be there (and whether the tournament referees also cover the qualification games next week).
DeleteThe prediction of Massa in Chelsea - Barcelona could have some arguments. The referee was expected on this matchday in serie A, but he didn't appear at all. Coming from the WC Qualifier, Kosovo - Switzerland, very likely he will officiate again directly on Tuesday. He could have handled Fiorentina - Juventus as serie A big game on Saturday, because he was expected as said before, but now one could make the argument that AIA didn't want to repeat what with Mariani, controversial Napoli - Inter and then having to officiate PSG - Bayern. This isn't how referees should be managed, but today the fans are in charge more than the heads of refereeing (we will have in case the confirmation of that when assignments will be released).
ReplyDeleteHowever, as other argument, having three games in a week, including WC Qualifier and then Saturday before Tuesday, could indeed be seen too much, especially considering the three games as very big ones. There is a very poor management by Rocchi who isn't able to arrange good sets of choices, but it seems that most of times he doesn't even know before about the international assignments (otherwise he would manage the big names in a different way).
About the game of Stamford Bridge in particular, let's add, one of the biggest top clash of Champions League and the memory of Ovrebo can't be absolutely removed. If on paper this game in the end it's only about three points in league stage and one could say definitely not more important than other games, on the other hand we have the potentially most controversial and discussed clash based on its background, so for committee only a certain kind of referee is possible. In this regard, Massa seems perfect for them. In case of poor performance, they will not lose anything because the Italian Elite isn't followed anymore for something big as we know.
Also, in my opinion Italian referees are appointed too much for big games, despite of the terrible situation of Italian federation, and the low quality, it seems as the international heads of refereeing, Collina and Rosetti, are still doing as they want. About Colombo, for me it's a talent. But he doesn't need so many big games, as Anonymous said above, I fully agree, there are also other referees. Same for the three Elite, Guida, Massa and Mariani, they are not at the excellence level but still, you can see, in the years each of them got something very big (unless Massa, but still, big games in Champions League). Referees from other federations would be never treated in this way. It's unfair for me. But we can be sure when Rosetti and Collina will go (I'm not saying they MUST go, but I just want to say, when it will happen), many things will change.
On another topic, I wanted to answer to Nerazzurri, I think the statement is maybe too straightforward, Sozza in a rather OK, but no more than that, period. He is not at very top, and he is not the top serie A referee at moment, honestly there aren't top serie A referees at moment. Remember he is coming from Inter - Fiorentina where he missed a clear penalty, but indeed AIA made everything to make this mistake forget by people. Hopefully he will show a good performance in San Siro, because his last Milan's derby, on last January, Italian Super Cup, was maybe among his worst performances ever.
My predictions for Champions League:
ReplyDeleteAjax vs Benfica — Halil Umut Meler
Galatasaray vs USG — Sven Jablonski
Chelsea vs Barcelona — Clement Turpin
Man City vs Leverkusen — Istvan Kovacs
Bodo vs Juventus — Serdar Gozubuyuk
Dortmund vs Villarreal — Espen Eskas
Marseille vs Newcastle — Jesus Gil Manzano
Slavia vs Bilbao — Erik Lambrechts
Napoli vs Qarabag — Srdan Jovanovic
Pafos vs Monaco — Donatas Rumsas
Copenhagen vs Kairat — Benoit Bastien
Arsenal vs Bayern — Slavko Vincic
Olympiakos vs Real — Felix Zwayer
Atletico vs Inter — Danny Makkelie
Liverpool vs PSV — Ivan Kruzliak
PSG vs Tottenham — Davide Massa
Frankfurt vs Atalanta — Irfan Peljto
Sporting vs Brugge — Joao Pinheiro
Sporting vs Brugge for Joao Pinheiro would not demonstrate professionalism, professionalism. ;-)
DeleteLast appointment is incorrect
Deletemistake, I agree, I didn't even pay attention to all the games :)
Deletefor example Eskas and Pinheiro should switch roles
DeleteIf your are not paying attention, why are you even making predictions?
DeleteAnyone can make a mistake, I mean that I didn’t notice I had put Pinheiro for Sporting match. I don’t understand why you’re giving unnecessary comments? If you like it, discuss the referees names if you don’t, just skip it.
Delete@Abdiaziz: I understand that you rated Austria vs Bosnia as a strong performance, as a big Pinheiro fan. But a refereeing team consists of six people, and one of the six clearly had an off day (the VAR - who put Pinheiro in trouble). And Pinheiro could have managed the specific situation better on the field as well. It was a performance with both positives and negatives, and I dare to say that Pinheiro was “saved” by the fact that Austria managed to score the equaliser. Otherwise all the focus would have been on that OFR and the disallowed goal.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, I think we will see Pinheiro again next week - but not in a top clash. And possibly with a different VAR.
I don't think the var referee was wrong to intervene because there was a clear foul before I don't the decision of the referee was wrong even bosnia won the game
DeleteI am determined that pinheiro will officiate arsenal vs bayern or psg vs Tottenham
DeleteI don’t think Pinheiro will get one of the big UCL clashes after handling a crucial WC qualifier. Keep in mind that UEFA likely already pencilled in the UCL names before the WC qualifiers. Two top clashes in the same week is generally not how UEFA operates. I actually expect referees on the UCL top games who had a relatively “safe” WC qualifier - so names like Vincic, Zwayer, or Turpin.
DeleteFurthermore, I noticed that Gozubuyuk is refereeing a Friday evening match in the 2nd League, which suggests a UCL appointment on Tuesday. In addition, Makkelie was initially assigned to a Saturday evening match in 1st League but he has been replaced (already before WAL–MKD).
@Chefren The nomination for Massa is indeed interesting, though I personally expected someone in the Turpin/Letexier category. But it’s clear that Massa will be compensated for missing the World Cup. Do you expect Mariani to officiate as well after two WC qualifiers? With Rosetti in charge, we can’t rule it out.
Is it likely that UEFA referees will be used for an intercontinental play-off, and if so, who? For the 2022 World Cup, Vincic handled the intercontinental play-off - a referee with relatively limited FIFA experience at the time.
We will see
DeleteAfrica Men Referee Of the Year 2025 Award: Omar Artan ( Somalia )
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/live/qby-M8J40Kg?si=DRTqfMcY2jR2xzeF&t=1004
Artan deservedly won the award as he has shown a lot of potential. At just 32 years old, he has already officiated the CAF Champions League Final last year and the U-20 World Cup third-place match in Chile.
He is considered the African equivalent of François Letexier.
Which now confirms that he will go to the World Cup next year as one of CAF’s leading referees. Dahane Beida has had a very poor season, and Mahmoud Ismail’s team has been letting him down.
Out of curiosity: Busacca has declared that when it was announced to the Somali referee that he would have officiated third place game at U20 WC, he cried.
Deletehe is a very good referee indeed. I really hope he confirms all the potential in him.
DeleteAbout next week UCL:
ReplyDeleteFor Napoli vs Qarabag (rank 24 vs 15): the team from Azerbaijan is performing exceptionally well. You can count on Rosetti assigning a top Elite referee here. The same applies to Bodø vs Juventus (Juve are 26th and the Norwegians are usually very strong at home), although the atmosphere in the far North is a bit milder. I think, Gozubuyuk is a good option.
For Arsenal vs Bayern, ranked 1 and 2, I actually expect a mid-Elite referee. Both teams normally reach the top eight. They’re fair by nature, so taking a little risk is possible, and there’s no real need for someone like Vincic here. The same goes for PSG vs Tottenham.
Chelsea vs Barcelona, 11 vs 12, is a risky match, with the Øvrebø memories attached to it. I actually thought this one would go to Turpin, considering he was a bit away from the spotlight in Slovenia-Kosovo. Will UEFA back him after the 2YC?
Atleti vs Inter should get a top Elite referee with plenty of experience, especially given Atleti’s 17th position. It could easily turn into a heated match. Marseille vs Newcastle will also get a top referee, probably because of the home team’s ranking. And for Olympiakos vs Real, I don’t see UEFA taking any risks either. The Greek atmosphere combined with Real’s ranking doesn’t really invite experimentation.
Even more particular after the CL observers, it seems as the Youth League assignments became confidential as well, no referees shown so far, only fourth officials for all games. I guess this could be a move by UEFA after some recent leaks, maybe a new policy.
ReplyDeleteWhat could be the reason for keeping the observers confidential?
DeleteIs it something the experts could read too much into beforehand?
After the U17 QFs have been played, three European national teams have reached the semis (Italy, Portugal, Austria) along with Brazil. So FIFA will have to break confederational neutrality in order to appoint more UEFA refs for the rest of the tournament.
ReplyDeleteAlso, unrelated:
Copa Libertadores final appointment (Palmeiras vs Flamengo), leaked by Árbitro Internacional:
Darío Herrera - Cristian Navarro, José Savorani - Nicolás Ramírez (all ARG)
[Héctor Paletta (ARG), Santiago Fernández (URU), Jorge Baliño (ARG, Cristian Ferreyra (URU)]
Actually, FIFA does not have to break the confederation neutrality rule, as purely European matches are neutral anyway. In the round of 32, Romanian Marian Barbu officiated Portugal vs. Belgium and Dutchman Sander van der Eijk Italy vs. Czech Republic, even though there were plenty of other matches without European involvement available to them. In the semifinals, a UEFA referee would be possible for Austria vs. Italy, as well as for another purely European match (either the third-place game or the final). So there would still be two out of four matches available for UEFA referees.
DeleteI think the referee of the final will European even final became two European team Because last world cup under 20 was a referee from europe
ReplyDeleteI mean will not be European
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to see 'Mr. However' Filip Dujić. ;-)
DeleteU17 Final Game Referees Candidate:
ReplyDeleteFilip Dujic (CAN)
Marian Barbu (ROU)
Roberto Pérez (PER)
I watched Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz in Derbi Valenciano today. In general, it was a good performance by Spanish international referee. He chose a stepped approach, opting for warnings in the first ~30 minutes (the most borderline challenge was a cynical charging by LEV12 in 17') and the first YC came after the most deliberate holding you can ever see. He had really good rapport with players, what is not so common among Spanish referees. The ease he dealt with some tricky incidents deserves praise. He missed a YC to VAL18 in 43' (cynical slap in the face as a late challenge) and the same player was lucky again in 53' after a follow-through tackle. Two quite blatant cases of DtR were ignored in 52' and 55'. Valencia scored in 63' but the goal was, surprisingly, disallowed for offside after VAR intervention. Some verbal conflicts during the last ten minutes were not solved adequately (too laidback, not wanting to play the boss and waste time?), leaving a room for further scuffles that ultimately exploded after the final whistle. Muñiz Ruiz presented a very central positioning, also not being able to properly adjust his position when the play was close to the "D". It could cost him some big calls in the future. Looking forward for his development though as he has some potential to handle heated games.
ReplyDeleteCL predictions:
ReplyDeleteAjax-Benfica: Irfan Peljto
Galatasaray-USG: Jesus Gil Manzano
Chelsea-Barcelona: Slavko Vincic
Dortmund-Villareal: Davide Massa
ManCity-Leverkusen: Rade Obrenovic
Bodo-Juventus: Chris Kavanagh
Marseille-Newcastle: Serdar Gözübüyük
Slavia-Bilbao: Manfredas Lukjančukas
Napoli-Qarabag: Ivan Kružliak
Pafos-Monaco: Igor Pajač
Copenhagen-Almaty: De Burgos Bengoetxea
Arsenal-Bayern: Clement Turpin
Olympiakos-Real: Glenn Nyberg
Atletico-Inter: Francois Letexier
Liverpool-PSV: Marco Guida
PSG-Tottenham: Felix Zwayer
Frankfurt-Atalanta: Danny Makkelie
Sporting-Brugge: Michael Oliver
I think it will be 180 degrees different
DeleteOk, I try then
DeleteAjax-Benfica: Michael Oliver
Galatasaray-USG: Danny Makkelie
Chelsea-Barcelona: Felix Zwayer
Dortmund-Villareal: Marco Guida
ManCity-Leverkusen: Francois Letexier
Bodo-Juventus: Glenn Nyberg
Marseille-Newcastle: Clement Turpin
Slavia-Bilbao: De Burgos Bengoetxea
Napoli-Qarabag: Igor Pajač
Pafos-Monaco: Ivan Kružliak
Copenhagen-Almaty: Manfredas Lukjančukas
Arsenal-Bayern: Serdar Gözübüyük
Olympiakos-Real: Chris Kavanagh
Atletico-Inter: Rade Obrenovic
Liverpool-PSV: Davide Massa
PSG-Tottenham: Slavko Vincic
Frankfurt-Atalanta: Jesus Gil Manzano
Sporting-Brugge: Irfan Peljto
You made same names in different games ?
DeleteDe Burgos with Bilbao? Hardly…
DeleteDe Burgos Bengoetxea is quite literally from Bilbao, that would be like Rosetti assessing a Juventus game.
DeleteSorry. I was just following the 180 degree statement :)
DeleteMaybe Pinheiro could do Chelsea Barcelona and Arsenal Bayern since he is already in London. That would maybe, just maybe, satisfy our friend here.
We will see my friend
DeleteJohn Brooks replaced by Kavanagh for Brighton v Brentford, could be another injury....
ReplyDeleteIf it is, horrible news. Brooks cannot catch a break. Wishing the best for him
DeleteNyberg in a game for a team whose country is next to Sweden? Sorry, your prediction doesn't make sense. I believe he's on the route to one of three places: Paris, Dortmund, or Piraeus.
ReplyDeleteArab cup..
DeleteIt has been a disastrous weekend for Spanish officials in the Arab Gulf: after Munuera Montero was totally overcome in his Saudi game last night (four OFRs(!) and extremely scant match control), Gil Manzano managed to throw away what was for 80min a good performance with a total sh*tshow ending in the UAE league just now, not helped by the hapless VAR work of Pizarro Gomez. The two Spaniards very nearly made a technical mistake which would have forced the match to be replayed. Clips to follow in a short while...
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Munuera Montero.
DeleteHere are the four OFRs:
https://streambug.org/cv/90200b
https://streambug.org/cv/5355bd
https://streambug.org/cv/06c864
https://streambug.org/cv/acb018
This match was very difficult, and unfortunately the 2nd Cat ref from Spain was unable to solve the fiendish position he was put in. He surrendered his authority over the match by calling himself to an OFR (Soto Grado was the VAR) after only 9min, in an attempt to make himself more accepted by the players. Then, by being too passive and shy, especially regarding persistent/deliberate fouling by Al-Ahli, causing the first half gradually get further away from his grasp. This ultimately resulted in a confrontation scene just before halftime. There, it seemed to me he did something quite remarkable in modern refereeing - gave an expulsion for VC which was simply wrong and too harsh in any era of football, given the player was only trying to break free of being excessively held. Despite an OFR, Munuera stuck to his severe initial call. In the second half, he 'created' another visit to the review area to try and win more acceptance, and then awarded a bogus penalty which was rightly taken back. I think a large majority of 2nd Cat officials would have struggled to assure good refereeing in this match, but one could surely have expected better from a referee working in a big league. The correct mark for this performance would be '3'.
Then, Gil Manzano.
I must say, one has to feel quite sorry for the Spanish Elite official from Extremadura, who became a very good referee but seems to keep being struck down by unfortunate events and incidents. Below are the key scenes from his game.
https://youtu.be/4355qxnIczo?t=15811
https://youtu.be/4355qxnIczo?t=15979
https://youtu.be/4355qxnIczo?t=19623
In the first half, Manzano correctly awarded a penalty and then supportably disallowed a goal after an OFR. Then, unfortunately the mess in the final clip speaks for itself. A potential get out for the Spaniards -- which perhaps passed them by -- was a possible offside offence with the goalkeeper out, but it does seem two defenders were goalside of the scoring player. In additional time, even the most blatant tactical fouling was allowed with impunity by the referee. Only thanks to his very good soft skills and management (also shown throughout the game), did Gil Manzano manage to avoid a total riot here.
Finally, as a bonus, here is a straight red card shown by Andres Matonte in the earlier UAE game for sarcastically applauding the referee.
https://youtu.be/4355qxnIczo?t=5539
Characteristically, overall this was a (very) poor performance by Matonte.
You can always bet on something happening during these matches in Mashriq leagues! It's a pity to only be able to write about negative performances though (on my dispatches blog, you can read about other difficult games which were well-handled by the referees in charge).
Unfortunately, it’s the same every time in these countries. There is no respect for referees and their decisions. Even the clearest decisions are criticized by at least one player – usually several – and the referees are put under pressure.
DeleteAgain today with Fesnic, who officiated the Al Hilal vs. Al Fatah match with three OFRs. During one of them, a player even ran after him to pressure him. Unfortunately, the European referees over there put up with pretty much everything and completely forget about UEFA standards.
Sorry, I couldn't believe the last scene by Gil Manzano, so long timer to understand that he had whistled before the goal?
DeleteEven going to monitor to change decision and then to have to do that again? Absolutely unacceptable from VAR!
However, it's very sad to see how games should (must') be offciated in these countries. What Munuera Montero did in the other game would be also shocking at UEFA level. Two things I want to underline: the absolutely theatre by player in the red card incident, but referee wanted to confirm despite of that. Then, the very actors' studio OFR by Munuera when he made repeatedly all that "ball" gestures without stopping himself. Is that refereeing, really? I'm speechless. What I found absurd as well is that commentator were even enthusiastic about VAR work in that game, praising all the final decisions, and thinking that everything, in order to end up in the right outcome, must have happened in that exact way. Lack of knowledge about refereeing. This was indeed a poor performance by Munuera, who, watching the clips, tried too much and maybe even in an unnecessary way, to make himself accepted without taking decisions but just being close and familiar with players... then, also mistakes to follow.
In my opinion, referee Marc Nagtegaal is a hidden gem in Dutch Eredivisie. He has all the tools to become a future Elite. This season he’s been one of the most consistent referees in the league, drawing no criticism. Already eight appearances under his belt this season, plus a recent Conference League debut, U-19 qualifiers, and Youth League. I genuinely hope there will be a decent development plan in place for him.
ReplyDeleteDecent performance by Barrott in Newcastle v Man City. Newcastle's winner has caused some confusion as it looked offside from some of the replays. Very tight but the on-field decision was correct.
ReplyDeletePL graphic https://x.com/City_Xtra/status/1992310010949579121
DeleteThe difficult relationship between Italian referees and VAR continues: today, in Fiorentina-Juventus, another truly forced OFR decision
ReplyDeleteIt's chaos, caused by Rocchi's lack of clear guidelines. He continues to say in public that in case of doubt it's better to go for an OFR, since the final decision always belongs to the referee, but he is very reluctant to consider an OFR as a mistake. This leads VAR officials, understandably, to call for a review whenever in doubt: worst case, the OFR will be rejected, while not calling the referee to review could leave the VAR exclusively responsible for a potential mistake.
DeleteToday, for me, there was never a clear and obvious mistake; judging the challenge means doing slow-motion analysis, and once again, VAR was not created for that, but I'm honestly tired of repeating the same thing every time…
To add, Doveri is someone who never contradicts VAR on the field and always follows the argument by VAR during OFR. Even though he himself works as a VAR, he's certainly not a referee who loves the tool; rather an old-school referee, and this may explain his “washing the hands” of decisions, basically accepting every correction, no matter what. And you know, that's not the right attitude, because it still means lacking courage or the willingness to take certain paths (unlike other referees, who seem eager to make a real assessment at monitor...).
Schärer has had his first game after his injury break this weekend.
ReplyDelete