Monday, 8 June 2026

Referee appointments for international friendlies - May / June 2026

Many friendlies have been planned as preparation for 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here referees' assignments. 

Saturday 23 May 2026

04:00 CET - Puebla (Estadio Cuahtémoc)
MEXICO - GHANA
Referee: Selvin Antonio Brown Chavarría HON
Assistant Referee 1: Gerson Daniel Orellana Martínez HON
Assistant Referee 2: Roney Armando Salinas Valladares HON
Fourth Official: José Javier Valladares Canales HON
Video Assistant Referee: Diego Abraham Ojer González GUA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Yasith Monge Acuña CRC

Tuesday 26 May 2026

20:30 CET - London, ENG (The Valley)
NIGERIA - ZIMBABWE
Referee: John Brooks ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bennett ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel  Cook ENG 
Fourth Official: Samuel Allison ENG

Wednesday 27 May 2026

20:30 CET - London, ENG (The Valley)
JAMAICA - INDIA
Referee: Darren England ENG 
Assistant Referee 1: Neil Davies ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Ian Hussin ENG
Fourth Official: Samuel Allison ENG

Thursday 28 May 2026

14:00 CET - Cairo (Misr Stadium)
EGYPT - RUSSIA
Referee: Lahlou Benbraham ALG
Assistant Referee 1: Mohammed Hamaidi ALG
Assistant Referee 2: Haitham Bouima ALG
Fourth Official: Mahmoud Bassiouni EGY

20:45 CET - Dublin (Aviva Stadium)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - QATAR
Referee: Jamie Robinson NIR
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Nethery NIR
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Jeffrey NIR
Fourth Official: Tim Marshall NIR

Friday 29 May 2026

14:00 CET - Antalya, TUR (Mardan Spor Kompleksi)
IR IRAN - GAMBIA
Referee: Atilla Karaoğlan TUR
Assistant Referee 1: Ceyhun Sesigüzel TUR
Assistant Referee 2: Gökhan Barcın TUR
Fourth Official: Yasin Kol TUR

18:00 CET - Girona, ESP (Estadi Montilivi)
IRAQ - ANDORRA
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Iker de Francisco Grijalba ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Rocío Puente Pino ESP
Fourth Official: Adrián Cordero Vego ESP

20:30 CET - Sarajevo (Olimpijski stadion "Asim Ferhatović Hase")
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - NORTH MACEDONIA
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Grega Kordež SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Matej Žunič SVN
Fourth Official: Luka Bilbija BIH

Saturday 30 May 2026

14:00 CET - Glasgow (Hampden Park)
SCOTLAND - CURAÇAO
Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili GEO
Assistant Referee 1: Davit Akhvlediani GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Davit Gabisonia GEO
Fourth Official: Bakari Bregadze GEO
Video Assistant Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili GEO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jeneri Khorava GEO

15:30 CET - London, ENG (The Valley)
ZIMBABWE - INDIA
Referee: Andrew Madley ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bennett ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Cook ENG
Fourth Official: Ruebyn Ricardo ENG

20:30 CET - London, ENG (The Valley)
JAMAICA - NIGERIA
Referee: Samuel Barrott ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Neil Davies ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Ian Hussin ENG
Fourth Official: Ruebyn Ricardo ENG

Sunday 31 May 2026

01:30 CET - Harrison, USA (Sports Illustrated Stadium)
ECUADOR - SAUDI ARABIA
Referee: Filip Dujic CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Gerard-Kader Lebuis CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Twayne Anderson CAN
Fourth Official: Ricardo José Montero Araya CRC
Video Assistant Referee: José Carlos Rivero USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Brian Dunn USA

03:00 CET - Provo, USA (BYU South Field)
SOUTH KOREA - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Referee: Victor Manuel Rivas USA
Assistant Referee 1: Nick Uranga USA
Assistant Referee 2: Cory Richardson USA
Fourth Official: Elijio Arreguin USA

04:00 CET - Pasadena, USA (Rose Bowl)
MEXICO - AUSTRALIA
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez USA
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Christopher Wattam CAN
Fourth Official: Ricardo Fierro USA
Video Assistant Referee: Edvin Jurisevic USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Timothy Ford USA

12:25 CET - Tokyo (MUFG Stadium)
JAPAN - ICELAND
Referee: Damian Kos POL
Assistant Referee 1: Arkadiusz Kamil Wójcik POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Karasewicz POL
Fourth Official: Jumpei Iida JPN
Video Assistant Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok KOR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Choi Cheol-jun KOR

15:00 CET - St. Gallen (Kybunpark)
SWITZERLAND - JORDAN
Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ole Andreas Skogsrud Haukåsen NOR
Fourth Official: Marius Hansen Grøtta NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Kristoffer Hagenes NOR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Svein Tore Sinnes NOR

16:00 CET - Prague (epet Arena)
CZECHIA - KOSOVO
Referee: Michal Očenáš SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Tobiáš Pacák SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Jekkel SVK
Fourth Official: Jakub Wulkan CZE

16:30 CET - Lisbon, POR (Estádio do Restelo)
CABO VERDE - SERBIA
Referee: João António Ferreira Gonçalves POR
Assistant Referee 1: Pedro Nuno de Sá Martins POR
Assistant Referee 2: André Filipe Nogueira Dias POR
Fourth Official: David Rafael Oliveira da Silva POR
Video Assistant Referee: Cláudio Filipe Ruivo Pereira POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Hélder Filipe Cláudio de Carvalho POR

17:30 CET - Wrocław (Tarczyński Arena Wrocław)
POLAND - UKRAINE
Referee: Filip Glova SVK
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Poláček SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Peter Bednár SVK
Fourth Official: Lukáš Dzivjak SVK
Video Assistant Referee: Matej Choreň SVK
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marián Ruc SVK

20:45 CET - Mainz (Mewa Arena)
GERMANY - FINLAND
Referee: Matheus Delgado Candançan BRA
Assistant Referee 1: Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos BRA
Assistant Referee 2: Alex Ang Ribeiro BRA
Fourth Official: Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva BRA
Video Assistant Referee: Rodrigo D'Alonso Ferreira BRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral BRA

21:30 CET - Charlotte (Bank of America Stadium)
USA - SENEGAL
Referee: Nicholas Walsh SCO
Assistant Referee 1: Francis Connor SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel McFarlane SCO
Fourth Official: Donald Robertson SCO
Video Assistant Referee: Daneon Estrado Parchment JAM
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Michael Whitty CAY

23:30 CET - Rio de Janeiro (Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho)
BRAZIL - PANAMA
Referee: Daniel Schlager GER
Assistant Referee 1: Sven Waschitzki-Günther GER
Assistant Referee 2: Lasse Koslowski GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski GER

Monday 1 June 2026

18:00 CET - Plovdiv (Stadion Hristo Botev)
BULGARIA - MONTENEGRO
Referee: Ioánnis Papadópoulos GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Andréas Meïndanás GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Polychrónis Kostarás GRE
Fourth Official: Fótios Polychrónis GRE

18:00 CET - Dunajská Streda (MOL Aréna)
SLOVAKIA - MALTA
Referee: Mihály Káprály HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Péter Kóbor HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Theodoros Georgiou HUN
Fourth Official: Bálint Kišš SVK

19:00 CET - Oslo (Ullevaal Stadion)
NORWAY - SWEDEN
Referee: Balázs Berke HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Szert HUN
Fourth Official: Bence Csonka HUN
Video Assistant Referee: Ferenc Karakó HUN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Eszter Urbán HUN

19:30 CET - Istanbul (Chobani Stadyumu Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi)
TÜRKİYE - NORTH MACEDONIA
Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Barbero Sevilla ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Alfredo Rodríguez Moreno ESP
Fourth Official: Alejandro Quintero González ESP

20:45 CET - Vienna (Ernst-Happel-Stadion)
AUSTRIA - TUNISIA
Referee: Jérémie Pignard FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Aurélien Drouet FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Alexis Auger FRA
Fourth Official: Stéphanie Frappart FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Bastien Dechepy FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Rainville FRA

Tuesday 2 June 2026

01:00 CET - Bogotá (Estadio Nemesio Camacho)
COLOMBIA - COSTA RICA
Referee: Guillermo Enrique Guerrero Alcívar ECU
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Daniel Lescano Guerrero ECU
Assistant Referee 2: Ricardo Fabián Baren Córdova ECU
Fourth Official: Anthony Yamil Díaz Mora ECU
Video Assistant Referee: Franklin Andrés Congo Viteri ECU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Fabricio Pazmiño Arévalo ECU

03:00 CET - Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium)
CANADA - UZBEKISTAN
Referee: Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Kiabek Espinosa Zavala MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Michel Alejandro Morales Morales MEX
Fourth Official: Jorge Abraham Camacho Peregrina MEX

18:00 CET - Rijeka (Stadion HNK Rijeka)
CROATIA - BELGIUM
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: Ante Čulina CRO

19:00 CET - Tbilisi (Mikheil Meskhis Stadioni)
GEORGIA - ROMANIA
Referee: Muhammad Ahmad Al-Mazyad QAT
Assistant Referee 1: Juma'a Muhammad Al-Burshaid QAT
Assistant Referee 2: Khalid Aid Khalaf Al-Burshaid QAT
Fourth Official: Muhammad Ahmad Ash-Shammari QAT

19:00 CET - Rabat (Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah)
MOROCCO - MADAGASCAR
Referee: Boubou Traore MLI
Assistant Referee 1: Modibo Samake MLI
Assistant Referee 2: Souleymane Traore MLI
Fourth Official: Hicham Tamsamani MAR

20:45 CET - Cardiff (Cardiff City Stadium)
WALES - GHANA
Referee: Oscar Johnson SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Niklas Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Marcus Lundgren Klitte SWE
Fourth Official: Erik Mattsson SWE

Wednesday 3 June 2026

02:00 CET - Fort Lauderdale, USA (Chase Stadium)
HAITI - NEW ZEALAND
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez USA
Assistant Referee 1: Logan Brown USA
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Da Silva USA
Fourth Official: Marcos DeOliveira USA

19:00 CET - Gibraltar (Europa Point Stadium)
GIBRALTAR - BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Referee: Antoine Paul Chiaramonti AND
Assistant Referee 1: Joan Guiu Serra AND
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Braga Gonçalves AND
Fourth Official: José Antonio Delgado García GIB

20:00 CET - Tirana (Air Albania Stadium)
ALBANIA - ISRAEL
Referee: Miloš Savović MNE
Assistant Referee 1: Marko Gojković MNE
Assistant Referee 2: Vladislav Radenović MNE
Fourth Official: Juxhin Xhaja ALB

20:00 CET - Liège, BEL (Stade Maurice Dufrasne)
DENMARK - DR CONGO
Referee: Lothar D'Hondt BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Romain Devillers BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Nico Claes BEL
Fourth Official: Erik Lambrechts BEL

20:45 CET - Luxembourg (Stade de Luxembourg)
LUXEMBOURG - ITALY
Referee: Joey Kooij NED
Assistant Referee 1: Dyon Fikkert NED
Assistant Referee 2: Murat Kücükerbir NED
Fourth Official: Jannick van der Laan NED

20:45 CET - Rotterdam (Stadion Feijenoord 'De Kuip')
NETHERLANDS - ALGERIA
Referee: Jakob Semler AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Höfler AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Alexander Borucki AUT
Fourth Official: Christian-Petru Ciochirca AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Alan Kijas AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Josef Spurny AUT

20:45 CET - Warsaw (PGE Narodowy)
POLAND - NIGERIA
Referee: Marian Alexandru Barbu ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mircea Mihail Grigoriu ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Marius Florin Badea ROU
Fourth Official: Rareș George Vidican ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Sorin Popa ROU
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marcel Bîrsan ROU

Thursday 4 June 2026

02:45 CET - Panama City (Estadio Rommel Fernández)
PANAMA - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Referee: Nelson Alcídes Salgado Trujillo HON
Assistant Referee 1: Roney Armando Salinas Valladares HON
Assistant Referee 2: Gerson Daniel Orellana Martínez HON
Fourth Official: Richard Martín Tejada Pinzón PAN

03:00 CET - Sandy, USA (America First Field)
SOUTH KOREA - EL SALVADOR
Referee: Natalie Simon USA
Assistant Referee 1: Felisha Mariscal USA
Assistant Referee 2: Meghan Mullen USA
Fourth Official: Alexis Da Silva USA

18:00 CET - Cádiz, ESP (Estadio Municipal de La Línea de la Concepción)
NORTHERN IRELAND - GUINEA
Referee: Seth Sheehan Galia GIB
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Gerard Macias GIB
Assistant Referee 2: Fausti Guerrero GIB
Fourth Official: Timothy Reoch GIB

18:00 CET - Ljubljana (Stadion Stožice)
SLOVENIA - CYPRUS
Referee: Patrik Kolarić CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Luka Pajić CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Ivan Mihalj CRO
Fourth official: David Šmajc SVN

19:00 CET - Encamp (Estadi FAF)
ANDORRA - LIECHTENSTEIN
Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Carlos Álvarez Fernández ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Alfredo Rodríguez Moreno ESP
Fourth Official: Víctor García Verdura ESP

19:00 CET - Solna (Strawberry Arena)
SWEDEN - GREECE
Referee: Aaron Wyn Jones WAL
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Beckett WAL
Assistant Referee 2: Martin Roberts WAL
Fourth Official: Iwan Arwel Griffith WAL

21:00 CET - A Coruña (Estadio Abanca Riazor)
SPAIN - IRAQ
Referee: Florian Badstübner GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christof Günsch GER
Assistant Referee 2: Sven Waschitzki-Günther GER
Fourth Official: Tobias Reichel GER

21:10 CET - Nantes (Stade de la Beaujoire)
FRANCE - CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Roland Riedel AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Santino Schreiner AUT
Fourth Official: Arnes Talic AUT
Video Assistant Referee: Manuel Schüttengruber AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christopher Jäger AUT

Friday 5 June 2026

02:00 CET - New Jersey, USA (Red Bull Arena)
CZECHIA - GUATEMALA
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Christopher Ramsey Cortez-Elliott USA
Assistant Referee 2: Camille Raymond CAN
Fourth Official: Serhii Boiko UKR/USA

04:00 CET - Toluca (Estadio Nemesio Díez)
MEXICO - SERBIA
Referee: Keylor Antonio Herrera Villalobos CRC
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Alberto Granados Caldera CRC
Assistant Referee 2: Danny Mauricio Sojo Montenegro CRC
Fourth Official: David Daniel Gómez Araya CRC
Video Assistant Referee: Benjamín Pineda Ávila CRC
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Anthony Bravo Quirós CRC

18:00 CET - Minsk (Nacyjanaĺny futboĺny stadyjon)
BELARUS - SYRIA
Referee: Əliyar Ağayev AZE
Assistant Referee 1: Zeynal Zeynalov AZE
Assistant Referee 2: Akif Əmirəli AZE  Elşad Abdullayev AZE
Fourth Official: Ihar Šumilaŭ BLR

18:00 CET - Tbilisi (Mikheil Meskhis Stadioni)
GEORGIA - BAHRAIN
Referee: Duncan Nicolson SCO
Assistant Referee 1: Calum Spence SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Jonathan Bell SCO
Fourth Official: Ryan Lee SCO

18:30 CET - Košice (Košická futbalová aréna)
SLOVAKIA - MONTENEGRO
Referee: Wojciech Myć POL
Assistant Referee 1: Bartosz Heinig POL
Assistant Referee 2: Marek Arys POL
Fourth Official: Lukáš Dzivjak SVK

19:00 CET - Chișinău (Stadionul Zimbru)
MOLDOVA - BULGARIA
Referee: Tural Qurbanov AZE
Assistant Referee 1: Akif Əmirəli AZE
Assistant Referee 2: Cəmil Quliyev AZE
Fourth Official: Roman Jitari MDA

19:00 CET - Volgograd (Volgograd Arena)
RUSSIA - BURKINA FASO
Referee: Nenad Minaković SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Boško Božović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Svetozar Živin SRB
Fourth Official: Rafael Shafeyev RUS

19:00 CET - Serravalle (San Marino Stadium)
SAN MARINO - BANGLADESH
Referee: Walter Altmann AUT
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Steinacher AUT
Assistant Referee 2: Mattias Hartl AUT
Fourth Official: Michele Beltrano SMR
Video Assistant Referee: Harald Lechner AUT
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stefan Pichler AUT

19:45 CET - Budapest (Puskás Aréna)
HUNGARY - FINLAND
Referee: Ante Čulina CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Kristijan Novosel CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Dario Kolarević CRO
Fourth Official: Dario Bel CRO
Video Assistant Referee: Mario Zebec CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fran Jović CRO

20:00 CET - Szombathely, HUN (Haladás Sportkomplexum)
AZERBAIJAN - MALTA
Referee: Mihály Káprály HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Buzás HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Bence Belicza HUN
Fourth Official: Tamás Bognár HUN

Saturday 6 June 2026

00:15 CET - Asunción (Estadio Defensores del Chaco)
PARAGUAY - NICARAGUA
Referee: Maximiliano Nicolás Ramírez ARG
Assistant Referee 1: Pablo Martín González ARG
Assistant Referee 2: José Miguel Savorani ARG
Fourth Official: David Elías Ojeda Gauto PAR

01:30 CET - Montreal (Stade Saputo)
CANADA - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Referee: José Pablo Camacho Espinoza CRC
Assistant Referee 1: William Uriel Chow Barrios CRC
Assistant Referee 2: Víctor Fabián Ramírez Fonseca CRC
Fourth Official: Josué David Ugalde Aguilar CRC

02:00 CET - Miami, USA (Nu Stadium)
HAITI - PERU
Referee: Filip Dujic CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Jeremy Kieso USA
Assistant Referee 2: Nick Uranga USA
Fourth Official: Marcos DeOliveira USA

15:00 CET - Brussels (Koning Boudewijnstadion)
BELGIUM - TUNISIA
Referee: Anastásios Sidirópoulos GRE
Assistant Referee 1: Polychrónis Kostarás GRE
Assistant Referee 2: Lázaros Dimitriádis GRE
Fourth Official: Ioánnis Papadópoulos GRE
Video Assistant Referee: Ángelos Evangélou GRE
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Athanásios Tzílos GRE

15:00 CET - Kaunas (Dariaus ir Girėno stadionas)
LITHUANIA - LATVIA
Referee: Joonas Jaanovits EST
Assistant Referee 1: Aron Härsing EST
Assistant Referee 2: Silver Kõiv EST
Fourth Official: Dovydas Švėgžda LTU

16:00 CET - Yerevan (Vazgen Sargsyan anvan Hanrapetakan Marzadasht)
ARMENIA - KAZAKHSTAN
Referee: Kyriákos Athanasíou CYP
Assistant Referee 1: Mários Kalogírou CYP
Assistant Referee 2: Kyriákos Sokrátous CYP
Fourth Official: Yura Mahtesyan ARM

17:00 CET - Pärnu (Pärnu Rannastaadion)
ESTONIA - FAROE ISLANDS
Referee: Kristaps Ratnieks LVA
Assistant Referee 1: Artūrs Šakurovs LVA
Assistant Referee 2: Mārtiņš Svipsts LVA
Fourth Official: Juri Frischer EST

19:00 CET - Gibraltar (Europa Point Stadium)
GIBRALTAR - CAYMAN ISLANDS
Referee: Antoine Paul Chiaramonti AND
Assistant Referee 1: Joan Guiu Serra AND
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Braga Gonçalves AND
Fourth Official: José Antonio Díaz Lorente GIB

19:45 CET - Oeiras (Estádio Nacional do Jamor)
PORTUGAL - CHILE
Referee: Luca Zufferli ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giovanni Baccini ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Khaled Bahri ITA
Fourth Official: Miguel Bértolo Nogueira POR
Video Assistant Referee: Rosario Abisso ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Federico La Penna ITA

19:45 CET - Bucharest (Stadionul Steaua)
ROMANIA - WALES
Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Jørgen Rønning Valstadsve NOR
Fourth Official: Szabolcs Roland Kovacs ROU

20:00 CET - Tirana (Air Albania Stadium)
ALBANIA - LUXEMBOURG
Referee: Genc Nuza KOS
Assistant Referee 1: Fatlum Berisha KOS
Assistant Referee 2: Bujar Selimaj KOS
Fourth Official: Eldorjan Hamiti ALB

20:30 CET - Chicago (Soldier Field)
USA - GERMANY
Referee: Piero Daniel Maza Gómez CHI
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Andrés Serrano Santibáñez CHI
Assistant Referee 2: Alejandro Javier Molina Bravo CHI
Fourth Official: Fernando André Véjar Díaz CHI
Video Assistant Referee: Roy Yazid Monge Acuña CRC
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jesús Alberto Montero Fuentes CRC

21:00 CET - St Louis, USA (Energizer Park)
PANAMA - BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Referee: Luis Enrique Santander Aguirre MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Enríque Isaac Bustos Díaz MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Enedina Caudillo Gómez MEX
Fourth Official: Alexis Ferreira USA

21:00 CET - San Diego, USA (Snapdragon Stadium)
SWITZERLAND - AUSTRALIA
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva USA
Assistant Referee 1: Cory Richardson USA
Assistant Referee 2: Felisha Mariscal USA
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan USA

22:00 CET - Harrison, USA (Sports Illustrated Stadium)
BOLIVIA - SCOTLAND
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza Herrera USA
Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Graves USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kali Smith USA
Fourth Official: Ricardo José Montero Araya CRC/USA

22:00 CET - Cleveland, USA (Cleveland Browns Stadium)
BRAZIL - EGYPT
Referee: Adonai Escobedo González MEX
Assistant Referee 1: José Ibrahim Martínez Chavarría MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Jonathan Maximiliano Gómez Olmos MEX
Fourth Official: Malik Nader Alael-din Badawi USA
Video Assistant Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lukasz Szpala USA

22:00 CET - East Hartford, USA (Pratt & Whitney Stadium)
CABO VERDE - BERMUDA
Referee:
Assistant Referee 1:
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official:

22:00 CET - Tampa, USA (Raymond James Stadium)
ENGLAND - NEW ZEALAND
Referee: Natalie Simon USA
Assistant Referee 1: Logan Brown USA
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Da Silva USA
Fourth Official: Alexandra Billetter USA
Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Stott USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Younes Marrakchi USA

22:00 CET - Los Angeles, USA (BMO Stadium)
QATAR - EL SALVADOR
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez USA
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Christopher Wattam CAN
Fourth Official: Ricardo Fierro USA

Sunday 7 June 2026

01:00 CET - Fort Lauderdale, USA (Chase Stadium)
VENEZUELA - TÜRKİYE
Referee: Daniel Quintero Huitrón MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Antonio Sánchez Espinoza MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Jessica Fernanda Morales Morales MEX
Fourth Official: Marcos DeOliveira USA

02:00 CET - College Station, USA (Kyle Field)
ARGENTINA - HONDURAS
Referee: Victor Manuel Rivas USA
Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner USA
Assistant Referee 2: Tiffini Turpin USA
Fourth Official: Lorenzo Hernandez USA
Video Assistant Referee: Allen Chapman USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Edvin Jurisevic USA

02:00 CET - Willemstad (Stadion Ergilio Hato)
CURAÇAO - ARUBA
Referee: José Adricer Corporán Corporán DOM
Assistant Referee 1: Helpys Raymundo Féliz Cuevas DOM
Assistant Referee 2: José Miguel Baré Milano DOM
Fourth Official: Norberto Domingos Freitas da Silva Costa CUW

15:00 CET - Vaduz (Rheinpark Stadion)
LIECHTENSTEIN - CYPRUS
Referee: Anojen Kanagasingam SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Bastien Lengacher SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Claudio Dos Santos SUI
Fourth Official: Marijan Drmic SUI

18:30 CET - Odense (Nature Energy Park)
DENMARK - UKRAINE
Referee: Sigurd Smehus Kringstad NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Runar Langseth NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Ole Andreas Skogsrud Haukåsen NOR
Fourth Official: Karoline Marie Jensen NOR

20:00 CET - Pristina (Stadiumi "Fadil Vokrri")
KOSOVO - ANDORRA
Referee: Juxhin Xhaja ALB
Assistant Referee 1: Denis Rexha ALB
Assistant Referee 2: Ridiger Çokaj ALB
Fourth Official:

20:45 CET - Varaždin (Nogometni stadion "Varteks")
CROATIA - SLOVENIA
Referee: Bence Csonka HUN
Assistant Referee 1: István Albert HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Gergő Vígh-Tarsonyi HUN
Fourth Official: Patrik Kolarić CRO

21:00 CET - Iraklion (Pangrítio Stádio)
GREECE - ITALY
Referee: Yigal Frid ISR
Assistant Referee 1: Rostislav Talis ISR
Assistant Referee 2: Tuval Rahamim Koltunoff ISR
Fourth Official: Dimítrios Móschou GRE
Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Bar Natan ISR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nati Dotan ISR

21:00 CET - Harrison, USA (Sports Illustrated Stadium)
MOROCCO - NORWAY
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauzière CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Gérard-Kader Lebuis CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Camille Raymond CAN
Fourth Official: Ricardo José Montero Araya CRC/USA
Video Assistant Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: José Carlos Rivero USA

22:00 CET - Columbus, USA (ScottsMiracle-Gro Field)
ECUADOR - GUATEMALA
Referee: Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Jeremy Kieso USA
Assistant Referee 2: Meghan Mullen USA
Fourth Official: Malik Nader Alael-din Badawi USA

Monday 8 June 2026

01:00 CET - San Diego, USA (Snapdragon Stadium)
COLOMBIA - JORDAN
Referee: Jesús Rafael López Valle MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Cameron Blanchard USA
Assistant Referee 2: Christopher Elliott USA
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan USA

20:45 CET - New York, USA (Icahn Stadium)
NETHERLANDS - UZBEKISTAN
Referee: Alyssa Pennington USA
Assistant Referee 1: Nick Uranga USA
Assistant Referee 2: Ryan Graves USA
Fourth Official: Serhiy Boyko UKR/USA
Video Assistant Referee: José Carlos Rivero USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. USA

21:10 CET - Villeneuve d'Ascq (Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy)
FRANCE - NORTHERN IRELAND
Referee: Sascha Stegemann GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christof Günsch GER
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Gittelmann GER
Fourth Official: Martin Petersen GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Winter GER

Tuesday 9 June 2026

03:08 CET - Auburn, USA (Jordan-Hare Stadium)
ARGENTINA - ICELAND
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza USA
Assistant Referee 1: Cory Richardson USA
Assistant Referee 2: Kali Smith USA
Fourth Official: Ricardo Fierro USA
Video Assistant Referee: Lukasz Szpala USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Chris Penso USA

04:00 CET - Puebla, MEX (Estadio Cuauhtémoc)
PERU - SPAIN
Referee: Fernando Hernández Gómez MEX
Assistant Referee 1: Michel Ricardo Espinoza Ávalos MEX
Assistant Referee 2: Enrique Isaac Bustos Díaz MEX
Fourth Official: Jorge Abraham Camacho Peregrina MEX

16:00 CET - Belek, TUR (Gloria Spor Kompleksi)
BAHRAIN - SYRIA
Referee:
Assistant Referee 1:
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official:

17:00 CET - Riga (LNK Sporta Parks)
LATVIA - FAROE ISLANDS
Referee: Dovydas Švėgžda LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandras Stepanovas LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Benas Kikutis LTU
Fourth Official: Vasilijs Mordatenko LVA

18:00 CET - Yerevan (Vazgen Sargsyan anvan Hanrapetakan Marzadasht)
ARMENIA - MOLDOVA
Referee: Aleko Aptsiauri GEO
Assistant Referee 1: Giorgi Elikashvili GEO
Assistant Referee 2: Davit Chigogidze GEO
Fourth Official: Artem Gasparyan ARM

18:00 CET - Orléans, FRA (Stade de la Source)
DR CONGO - CHILE
Referee: Mehrez Melki TUN
Assistant Referee 1: Khalil Hassani TUN
Assistant Referee 2: Aymen Ismail TUN
Fourth Official: Yousri Bouali TUN

18:00 CET - Tallinn (A. Le Coq Arena)
ESTONIA - LITHUANIA
Referee: Vitālijs Spasjoņņikovs LVA
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksejs Spasjoņņikovs LVA
Assistant Referee 2: Raimonds Tatriks LVA
Fourth Official: Rasmus Maalin EST

18:00 CET - Kaliningrad (Rostec Arena)
RUSSIA - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Referee: Nenad Minaković SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Boško Božović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Svetozar Živin SRB
Fourth Official: Sergey Tsyganok RUS

18:30 CET - Minsk (Nacyjanaĺny futboĺny stadyjon)
BELARUS - BURKINA FASO
Referee: Rafael Shafeyev RUS
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksey Lunyov RUS
Assistant Referee 2: Dmitriy Safyan RUS
Fourth Official: Anton Lašuk BLR

19:00 CET - Debrecen (Nagyerdei Stadion)
HUNGARY - KAZAKHSTAN
Referee: Pavle Ilić SRB
Assistant Referee 1: Milan Šutulović SRB
Assistant Referee 2: Nikola Đorović SRB
Fourth Official: Danilo Nikolić SRB
Video Assistant Referee: Aleksandar Živković SRB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Milan Stefanović SRB

20:00 CET - Szombathely, HUN (Haladás Sportkomplexum)
AZERBAIJAN - SAN MARINO
Referee: Márton Rúsz HUN
Assistant Referee 1: Balázs Szert HUN
Assistant Referee 2: Balázs Szalai HUN
Fourth Official: Bence Csonka HUN

22:00 CET - Bridgeview, USA (SeatGeek Stadium)
IRAQ - VENEZUELA
Referee: Filip Dujic CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Logan Brown USA
Assistant Referee 2: José Da Silva USA
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan USA

Wednesday 10 June 2026

01:00 CET - San Antonio, USA (Toyota Field)
SAUDI ARABIA - SENEGAL
Referee: Victor Manuel Rivas USA
Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner USA
Assistant Referee 2: Tiffini Turpin USA
Fourth Official: Lorenzo Hernandez USA

02:30 CET - Auburn, USA (Jordan-Hare Stadium)
ICELAND - ARGENTINA
Referee:
Assistant Referee 1:
Assistant Referee 2:
Fourth Official:

21:45 CET - Leiria (Estádio Municipal de Leiria)
PORTUGAL - NIGERIA
Referee: Mateo Busquets Ferrer ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Íñigo Prieto López de Cerain ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Fourth Official: Gustavo Fernandes Correia POR
Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Raúl Martín González Francés ESP

22:00 CET - Orlando, USA (Inter & Co. Stadium)
ENGLAND - COSTA RICA
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva USA
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Twayne Anderson CAN
Fourth Official: Alexandra Billeter USA
Video Assistant Referee: Chris Penso USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Lukasz Szpala USA

194 comments:

  1. A full Brazilian crew for a game between two European teams looks odd.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a cooperation between Brazilian and German federations. Daniel Schlager will be the referee of Brazil - Panama. Same case like Damian Kos in Japan - Iceland.

      Delete
    2. By the way, Matheus Delgado Candançan is only 27 years old.

      Delete
    3. England - Costa Rica
      Referee: Facundo Tello ARG
      Assistant Referee 1: ??? Canada
      Assistant Referee 2: ??? Canada

      Delete
  2. In the past, it was long-standing practice to assign friendly matches with World Cup teams in World Cup years shortly before the start of the World Cup to the best referees who were not participating in the tournament. The fact that Netherlands - Algeria is being refereed by Jakob Semler would have been unrealistic back then. From an Austrian perspective, Sebastian Gishamer would have primarily been suitable, followed by Julian Weinberger and Stefan Ebner. I had the impression that experienced referees were deliberately relied upon in order to prevent injuries from grossly negligent to deliberate fouls so shortly before the World Cup. Conversely, I cannot understand the nomination of Javier Alberola Rojas for Andorra - Liechtenstein: While friendly matches are often assigned to neighboring countries, for this specific encounter, from a Spanish perspective, a FIFA novice like Mateo Busquets Ferrer would also have been suitable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't understand this appointment either.
      It would be a good game for Mateo to referee.

      Delete
    2. It's a very interesting topic. Personally, I noticed that in recent years there has been a really significant devaluation in the appointment of referees for friendly matches, which are now automatically considered low-level games in almost every case compared to the past. As you correctly pointed out, in past there was less referee categorization, and a certain type of friendly between two World Cup teams could still be officiated by someone who perhaps would not go to the World Cup, but who was still a top name.
      Nowadays, instead, the only logic seems to be that referees of a certain type, a certain standard, and a certain level of experience must necessarily be assigned a particular kind of matches. As a result, we also get many strange appointments, we can say. For example, the Alberola Rojas appointment you mentioned: obviously, based on his experience, he could handle far bigger matches, but since he happens to be geographically close, he gets that game and they don't think much further about it.
      In my opinion, there is less methodology in the appointment process for these friendlies nowadays and more rigid categorization compared to the past. The only exceptions are some very big friendlies, such as those involving the major European federations between them, France, Germany, Spain, England, and Italy. Those matches still very often receive a top referee, even if they are only friendlies, although not always. Everything else is generally treated as lower-level and in most cases, a referee from a close country is sent.

      Delete
    3. Is it not normally organised between the respective countries and associations. With very little or no input from UEFA/FIFA. A lot of the friendlies are organised by a private company who seek officials to be organised by the host country.

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    4. Nevertheless, I would have expected that, so close to the start of the tournament, friendly matches between two World Cup participants would be preferentially assigned to referees with experience in the Champions League or at least the Europa League. Younger, talented referees can, of course, perform just as well. However, if a World Cup player is injured by a nasty foul and the referee is found partly responsible for not intervening in time, the committees are unnecessarily put in a difficult position regarding such assignments. With approximately 50 Champions League referees, of whom only 16 are going to the World Cup, there are plenty of options from that pool alone.

      Delete
    5. Given the top guys will be away from family etc. they are probably on holiday with their families or sorting work before going away

      Delete
  3. An outstanding performance from Steven McLean 10 years on from his first final. In what was a smooth game he kept full control and all decisions were respected. Well done Steven and co.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Do someone know if the new rules 2026-2027 will be applied for these games to prepare World Cup teams for this competition ?

    ReplyDelete
  5. NIGERIA - ZIMBABWE
    Referee: John Brooks ENG
    Assistant Referee 1: Simon Bennett ENG
    Assistant Referee 2:
    Fourth Official: Samuel Allison ENG

    I managed to find a poor quality stream but only from 6th minute on, so I missed the presentation. However, I recognised all officials but the AR2 who was not shown on the screen. If anyone can help...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you know the appointment for today's JAMAICA - INDIA btw?

      Delete
    2. I do not unfortunately, I would presume it'll be another English FIFA official along with assistants and a SG1/SG2 fourth official

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    3. https://snipboard.io/eIEUnv.jpg

      Darren England and?

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    4. AR1: Neil Davies
      AR2: Ian Hussin

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    5. Sam Allison is the 4th official

      Delete
  6. Brasil x Panamá : Referee- Daniel
    Schlager,,, Referees Assistens: Sven Washitzki-Günther e Rafael Foltyn:4* Th referee-Florian Badstübner, VAR- Pascoal Müller e Robert Schröder

    ReplyDelete
  7. USA V SENEGAL

    Nick Walsh
    Ar1: Frank Connor
    Ar2: Daniel McFarlane
    4th: Don Robertson

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A very decent appointment

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    2. Yes, this appointment, in my opinion is the start of Walsh and his teams journey to Euro 28.

      Delete
  8. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/02a5-20bb2ead6fa0-594bc3f4ff23-1000--uefa-champions-league-final-referee-siebert-ready-for-duty/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ismail Elfath appointed for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Final between Tigres UANL and Toluca.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Any news on the officials for the final of the Unity Cup between Jamaica and Nigeria tomorrow? (Presumably at The Valley in London again)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing confirmed but I would guess Barrott, Jones or Madley

      Delete
  11. Unbelievable offside decision in AFCON u17. Factually wrong after review. Also 100 % wrong penalty for handball.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Any info on referee for today game in Girona?

    Andora- Iraq? Some local name I guess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea is reported as the referee.

      Delete
  13. I came across this site with all kinds of referee statistics for the World Cup. Highly recommended!

    https://travel-climate-impact-wc2026.vercel.app/referee-styles.html

    ReplyDelete
  14. Where will we get to predict wc appointments ?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Is sandro scharer injury i am not see him for the training

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sandro Schärer wasn't at the stadium with the referee committee today? Does anyone know why ?

    ReplyDelete
  17. I also dont see del Cerro. Maybe organisatoy reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  18. OT: The DFB has announced that Dr Max Burda and Richard Hempel are the two referees promoted to the Bundesliga.
    Burda will be of little interest to most people here, as he turns 37 next month and therefore no longer has any chance of an international career.
    Hempel, however, is definitely a name to remember. He is only 28 years old and, for that reason alone, can harbour justified hopes of a place on the FIFA list in the coming years. Standing 1.99 metres tall, almost as broad as Marciniak, and with a shoe size of 51, the man possesses a natural authority through his physical presence alone that many can only dream of. This can make him seem intimidating, yet at the same time he has a good rapport with the players, as you can tell. With a relaxed demeanour and a smile, he usually comes across well in the media too. On top of that, he takes a strict disciplinary line, «no-bullshit» as many of you would call it. He doesn’t shy away from unpopular decisions either, such as harsh red cards. He embodies a great deal of what many here on the blog like about the style of refereeing. He is certainly the greatest German talent since Jablonski. Let’s see where his path takes him and how he fares in his first Bundesliga season.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Promotions in Germany
    1. Bundesliga: Max Burda (36), Richard Hempel (28)
    2. Bundesliga: Cristian Ballweg (30), Justin Hasmann (27), Felix Weller (30)
    End of career: Deniz Aytekin (47, Ex-UEFA-Elite), Patrick Ittrich (47), Tobias Welz (48, Ex-UEFA-First, continues as VAR), Frank Willenborg (47)

    Hempel was very convincing in 2. Bundesliga, so together with his age, he should be a clear candidate for the FIFA list. Burda probably is too old for international ambitions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a bit off-topic, but from a neutral Austrian (or at least subjective) perspective, I consider Deniz Aytekin to be a fascinating and above all highly credible personality. These days, I often think that he could be very valuable as the head of the UEFA Referees Committee for the sport of football.

      Delete
    2. ARs promoted to Bundesliga: Steven Greif (32) & Julius Martenstein (34)

      ARs promoted to 2. Bundesliga: Daniel Barnitzki (30), Nico Fuchs (31), Roy Dingler (28) & Luca Jürgensen (29)

      Referees promoted to 3. Liga: Max Kluge (23), Maximilian Lotz (24), Luca Sambill (23), Henry Schröder (21) & Franziska Wildfeuer (32)

      Daniela Kottmann (29) promoted to Women's Bundesliga, replacing retiring Riem Hussein.

      Delete
  20. Obrenovič with an ultralenient performance in BIHMKD. He clearly wanted to go through the game without issuing a single YC. Ultimately, he issued only one for a borderline-to-SFP high kick by #10 MKD. Clips to follow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 05' PAI handball; it seems the ball hits the naturally positioned arm but then also the arm that makes the body bigger?
      https://streambug.org/cv/3f827d

      34', 36' rightly rejected penalty appeals
      https://streambug.org/cv/fec0d1

      46' no card for kick in the face by #16 BIH
      https://streambug.org/cv/39c5f3

      75' no card for dissent of #23 BIH
      https://streambug.org/cv/fe1780

      78' YC #10 MKD for reckless-SFP kick in the chest
      https://streambug.org/cv/fe1780

      82' crazy no card for blatant LoR holding
      https://streambug.org/cv/e5ded9

      full disciplinary control:
      https://files.fm/u/ghtqr57mzs

      Delete
    2. Referees who think not giving cards makes you good are the worst referees.

      Delete
    3. Deep thanks to Euro Soccer Ref for his extremely interesting reports/clips for Meler, Zwayer and this friendly. All of these games made for very interesting watching! About Obrenovic's refereeing in this game, I would register a dissenting voice to the criticism above - this seems like a VERY good performance in a complicated match by the Slovenian referee (ex-Yug derby, Bosnia proud to attend the WC, the limited amount of munition for referees handling a third place playoff or friendly game and the need to very carefully consider disciplinary choices). Obrenovic should have varied his whistle tone at 4’ instead of trying to underplay a deliberate foul, 82’ was too clear to ignore (even if you can understand what he was trying to do) and of course it would be better technically to act against DtR, but in reality this was obviously not the match to do that. 46’ is technically reckless but given the foul was an accident, I think the Slovenian ref also decided well there. In this game, Obrenovic showed the kind of match-reading that made him (look like?) a super talent back in 2019 or so! His more chaotic recent style didn’t count against him here. As I said on Wednesday: refereeing should be an art, not a science.

      To attempt a seamless segue way onto a new topic, Obrenovic was the penultimate foreign referee to stand in the UAE this season, but the very last appointment was of inordinately more significance than his - FIFA created a ‘final (final, final) test’ for Raphael Claus, under the personal supervision and observation of the FIFA director of refereeing. If what Busacca did for Herrera/Falcon was already a bit ridiculous (you cannot prepare for 3.5yrs and have everything come down to a pair of random Arab matches!), the choice of Claus veered into the absurd: FIFA broke their own rule about WC referees not fulfilling foreign league appointments in order to create a situation where they could make a judgement on a referee who has handled games in their competitions since 2019! As I outlined in ‘Who will FIFA choose?’, the way in which refereeing has been run for the last fifteen years has been far, far from good.

      https://youtu.be/jjRGnLfw0rw

      I uploaded the match to my youtube channel; link above. Did Claus pass this final test then? Well, I must say that I’m extremely curious for Busacca’s ruling on this - in my opinion, the answer should (even taking into account the FIFA philosophy) be NO. Too passive, hence too much undue chaos in the match, and not even good management skills either. Having an air of sovereignness, in the German understanding of the term, should NOT be enough to be selected as a main WC referee, especially as a third referee from one country. However, I should be clear, this match was not an unmitigated disaster either. We will see which way the judgement falls on Claus! More holistically speaking, it is quite clear that promoting a given reserve referee is very much on the table for FIFA, and we will see how that progresses as the WC goes on.

      Delete
  21. Unfortunately, don't expect Spanish lists until late June, after the promotion playoffs to LaLiga and LaLiga2 are completed (LaLiga2 regular season is only ending this weekend!)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Update on BRA-PAN:
    Schlager, Waschitzki, Koslowski, Badstübner - Dingert, Rafalski (all GER)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Fourth official Bakari Bregadze is not wearing a FIFA badge, I presume he is not a FIFA official but is a top flight Georgian referee?

    ReplyDelete
  24. VAR review in Glasgow for VC for an elbow to the face by a Curacao player on Scottish player, yellow given on field and has now been upgraded to Red card. Good call by VAR team for the referral

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeap probably should have been seen live.

      Delete
    2. I do have sympathy with the referee on that one. Live it's really difficult to establish the contact point and motion so a YC for me in real time looked correct but very clear on the replay that it is elbow to the face in a violent manner and a RC has to be issued.

      Delete
  25. A red card after an OFR in Glasgow a very poor and late tackle from the Curaçao player.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Red card for Curacao. Violent conduct. Very good intervention for a shocking elbow.
    Curacao had wanted a foul before but the player had fouled the Scotland player in an identical manner just before

    ReplyDelete
  27. For me a very impressive first half performance from Goga Kikacheishvili in Glasgow. I have to be honest and say that I don't know anything about this referee but he has been impressive throughout the first half.

    Excellent fitness (incredible dynamic sprinting) and positioning and good consistent foul detection has been a highlight of this half. Good to see a referee proactive punish dissent for the first caution of the game and the second caution which was correctly upgraded to Red for VC for an elbow to the head but for me in real time I would have also went yellow so a good call by the VAR team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not watching this game but would concur with your (characterically very good!) observations: Kikacheishvili is excellent and should reach the UEFA Elite category given his ability. I think he should target selection as a reserve referee for Euro 2028 in the medium-term.

      Delete
    2. Why is he counting to 8 when it’s a goal kick? I thought that rule was applied when the goalkeeper had the ball in his hands?

      Delete
  28. Clip:
    https://streambug.org/cv/66994b
    More generally, the interesting question for us is: will Curaçao play in this way at WC, as very unexperienced national team at very top level? Referees can already take note.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think countries like Curacao and other "not as technically good" nations will play a physical way in order to try and disrupt the game as much as possible and I think in those kind of games you'll potentially need a "firefighter" as opposed to other types.

      Delete
    2. Honestly they have been acting like school children when reacting to the referees decisions. In the World Cup this can’t be tolerated.

      Delete
    3. I guess especially at the World Cup it will be tolerated as it's FIFA's thing to accept everything...

      Delete
  29. About Kikacheishvili, I don't know what happened in recent times to Georgian referees in UEFA, some comments on the blog reporting they had been punished (both him and Kruashvili). Maybe failed tests. Really sorry because I have to agree with you, Kikacheishvili can reach the very top level (while it's not the same for Kruashvili, but he already achieved what he could with Rosetti, still in my opinion).

    ReplyDelete
  30. Correct PK awarded on 81' clear trip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep. Not a huge deal of contact but does trip his standing foot

      Delete
  31. For me an impressive and mature performance from the 34 year old Georgian official. Followed up his excellent first half performance with a second half performance of a similar standard. 3 more cautions (all correct) and good, consistent foul detection and continued his impressive fitness and positioning. I would certainly be happy to see this referee in the next season in more challenging and testing environments and as more knowledgeable contributors have stated he is certainly a UEFA elite candidate in waiting.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Zimbabwe v India
    Referee: John Brooks (ENG)
    No idea the rest of the team

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ZIMIND (Madley and not Brooks):
      https://snipboard.io/ZTljCQ.jpg

      JAMNGA:
      https://snipboard.io/WzOkKX.jpg

      fourth official in both games:
      https://snipboard.io/MILJHV.jpg

      I hope I correctly identified all the officials below :)

      Delete
    2. My apologies I looked at Getty images and then had a complete brain fade. Those are the correct officials indeed.

      Delete
    3. Fourth official looks like Farai Hallam and not Ruebyn Ricardo

      Delete
  33. Roggi unfortunately with a rather bad game in Switzerland - Jordan. He had 3 OFR, especialy the last for annuling an handball penalty was a poor mistake.

    Then there was a remarkable end: There was heavy rain and Roggi decided to end the game after 87 minutes. After the shakehands, some time later in the dressing rooms, the Swiss noticed that the game only is reported statistically if the full 90 minutes have been played. So after around 20 minutes of break (what was supposed to be the end of the game) they came back to play the final 3 minutes. Since all the VAR stuff has already been disconnected without VAR. Incredible…

    ReplyDelete
  34. Walsh and his team in America wearing an unusual referee kit which looks like it has Americas soccer logo on the sleeves

    ReplyDelete
  35. A good boy penalty decision by Walsh on 12'. Very clear signal that the check was complete as play was going on

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very good no call. One that can easily trick any referee.

      Delete
  36. POLUKR (Filip Glova)

    17' - Goal disallowed for offside (AR1)
    https://streambug.org/cv/bee65d

    21', 48', 54', 57' - Rightly rejected penalty appeals
    https://streambug.org/cv/6318f3

    23' - The most controversial incident: no penalty after step on foot. The argument for no penalty is only that the ball passed through both players. In opinion of commentators and most people it should've been a penalty and VAR intervention.
    https://streambug.org/cv/56d109

    65' - YC #14 UKR for reckless tackle, possible RC for SFP; poor replays but rather nothing for VAR although the nature of the foul is something more than a standard YC
    https://streambug.org/cv/f92bc5

    Disciplinary:
    https://files.fm/u/k7yukta49x

    Another lenient but solid performance in those friendlies. While I can accept that some SPA fouls like 2', 45+1' or conflicts like 26' are managed without cards, I can't bear that referees allow to undermine their authority by blatant dissenting behaviour like 21'. Dissent should be strictly punished no matter whether in a friendly or final. Otherwise, a solid performance from Glova who had some problems with positioning, though.

    ReplyDelete
  37. USA scored a third goal that was blatantly offside however I’m not sure if the us broadcaster even knows it’s been ruled out as Walsh wasn’t shown when he whistled the offside. I can’t be sure if it’s ruled out or not?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Took ages for the score graphic to update back to 2-2

      Delete
    2. Now 11 minutes after the broadcaster has realised and changed the scoreline back to 2-2.

      To add Walsh correctly rules out a us goal for a foul.

      Delete
  38. SUIJOR (Rohit Saggi)

    24' - [OFR] Penalty awarded for goalkeeper's intervention (+ no offside in the APP)
    https://streambug.org/cv/909a3d

    45+2' - PAI charging
    https://streambug.org/cv/cc2748

    45+7' - [OFR] Penalty awarded for tripping
    https://streambug.org/cv/941c26

    57' - [OFR] wrong penalty for handball, absolutely never a penalty but the angle VAR showed to the referee...
    https://streambug.org/cv/3cee3e

    ReplyDelete
  39. "The IFAB has approved a clarification to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol for use at the 2026 FIFA World Cup regarding clear offences committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner kick or free kick that have a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick, or disciplinary sanction.

    If the offence meets the criteria set out in the clarification, the VAR will recommend an on-field review, following which, if the referee determines that an offence occurred before the ball was in play, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and the corner kick or free kick will be retaken.

    The clarification will be reviewed following the 2026 FIFA World Cup before any decision on its potential broader application is made."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe I don’t understand it well but is that not already possible to give a RC for example if the ball is not in play and restart only by the CK.
      And also don’t understand why this is only for offences by the attacking team so what about a defender making an offence. Don’t really understand it tbf.

      Delete
    2. RC for SFP is only given for fouls in play and RC is always given for violent conduct. The latter has, of course, always been possible.

      This applies to whether 'a goal or not' or whether 'a penalty or not'; therefore, defensive fouls are irrelevant.

      Delete
    3. What's interesting is that IFAB calls this a "clarification," while FIFA's Collina calls it a "change."

      I also perceived it as a "clarification," but was it really recognized by referees worldwide as being prohibited by protocol until now? It's a little hard to believe.

      Delete
    4. Understand ur point, i agree i don't think that will change anything and tbf if VAR should say something on every CK where there is a goal then i think we will never see a goal on CK again. There is always something to call if it's a push or a pull in the penalty area.

      Delete
  40. Very good performance of Schlager in Brazil x Panama. Correct penalty marked for Brazil. Unfortunately only a mistake, wrong offside by Lasse in the 2nd goal but other than that good performance 👏🏻

    ReplyDelete
  41. First use of the 10 seconds substitution time during japan-Iceland:
    https://x.com/felaraya2/status/2061070799314747490

    ReplyDelete
  42. Referees for the LaLiga promotion play-off announced:

    Luis Bestard Servera (1994)
    Andrés Fuentes Molina (1990)
    Jon Ander González Esteban (1985)
    Salvador Lax Franco (1991)
    Carlos Muñiz Muñoz (1995)
    Rafael Sánchez López (1991)

    Some pretty surprising absences such as Daniel Palencia Caballero or Manuel Ángel Pérez Hernández who deserved it much more, specially considering the inclusion of Lax Franco and Fuentes Molina who are very mediocre refs IMO. Muñiz Muñoz is quite good, could be a good name for the future.

    Medina Cantalejo was a quite poor manager on day-to-day affairs, but to his credit he was quite good at selecting the best referees for promotion play-offs and subsequent category promotions (yes, even if two of the three promoted refs last year deserve demotion)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My favorites:
      González Esteban and Muñiz Muñoz

      Delete
  43. OFR in Vienna for handball DOGSO outside the penalty area against AUT20. Yellow card onfield and Red card issued after review

    ReplyDelete
  44. U19 Japan - U21 Ivory Coast

    Despite having received only one yellow card, Kanda(Japan) was sent off after the referee mistakenly booked it as a second yellow cards.

    https://youtu.be/5M9KD5_iC8o?si=Dmn7hIpsB6GFTqkU

    ReplyDelete
  45. Here you can see colours of referee kits for every group stage match

    https://x.com/i/status/2061550033548288037

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      Since when is there a green adidas 26 kit?

      Delete
    2. Referee kit statistics for the group stage, assuming no late changes:

      - Black: 23
      - Green: 19
      - Yellow: 16
      - Red: 7
      - Blue: 6
      - Magenta: 1 (Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay)

      Delete
    3. FIFA link https://digitalhub.fifa.com/web/fdb6b82aeeec9d9f/fwc2026-match-colours-designation/?viewType=grid

      Delete
    4. Another difference between FIFA and UEFA: In the Champions League this season, the blue kit was used the most and the black kit the least.

      Delete
  46. There is an ig post that says how UEFA are very pleased with Siebert's performance in CL Final.

    Also,Fifa has expressed surprise in fact that he is not selected for WC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And both claims are said to be originated from voices ‘close to the referee’. As Uefa and Fifa never speak explicitly about the quality of performances I doubt the Ig information tbh.

      Delete
  47. Well,gentelmans, I suppouse it is time to start with predicition who will officiate opening match of FIFA WC 2026. My bet go on Danny Makkelie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the first two games will be Letexier (to roughly equal Irmatov M1 in 2010) and Ghorbal (to roughly equate Kamikawa M2 in 2006).

      Delete
  48. Wales-Ghana

    Very clear missed or on purpose on given 2nd YC to Partey.

    Friendly game is the only thing that saved him imo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, unacceptable performance by the Swedish, then in the middle of many missed cards, and the second YC 100% clear for reckless, he issued a card (the first one for that player, indeed), that served only to make things even more complicated.

      Delete
  49. When will the prediction game start @Chefren?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Haiti v New Zealand.

    I believe the referee was Rubiel Vazquez from USA but I do not know the rest of the team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looks to me like Logan Brown and José Da Silva as assistant referees and Marcos de Oliveira as the fourth official.

      Delete
  51. Will all WC 2026 referees in one place or in the three countries

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I remember correctly, referees and ARs will be stationed in Miami throughout the whole tournament, while VAR officials will be stationed in Dallas (where the international broadcasting centre hosting the VAR rooms is located)

      If you mean the appointments, I don't think there's any geographical restriction.

      Delete
    2. I think, it was reported, that the referees stay in three different locations, one in each zone (Western, Central, Eastern). This would give an interesting twist to the appointments.

      Delete
  52. Another tricky penalty area incident involving step on foot in Poland's game.

    POLUKR
    https://streambug.org/cv/56d109

    POLNGA
    https://streambug.org/cv/350408

    Opinions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both should be penalties, I think Glova assessed the contact as not sufficient to whistle, I liked his body language, aware of the incident, but the read of the situation was not correct.
      Controversial if in an important game and rather VAR intervention expected.

      Delete
    2. IMO they opted for no penalty because the ball was not playable for both players anymore in POLUKR, while in POLNGA they assessed that Nigerian player played the ball and the contact was accidental - I don't agree, the ball was played by Polish player and the Nigerian was rather hit by the ball than played it and his action was reckless, so my decision would be penalty and YC here.

      Delete
  53. Penalty for handball after an on-field review in POLNGA
    https://streambug.org/cv/a87e40

    Also, first Nigeria's goal was allowed after VAR intervention - no offside (AR2 Badea)
    https://streambug.org/cv/b26929

    ReplyDelete
  54. Visa issue for Omar Artan who is stuck in his country and cannot participate to the seminar.

    ReplyDelete
  55. https://inside.fifa.com/innovation/news/offside-decisions-referee-body-cams-innovation-world-cup-2026
    Really interesting to see how all this technology will be used during this World Cup.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Not to be mean or anything, but to if we want follow the same template as other Spanish or Portuguese speaking referees, USA-Germany should look like this:

    Referee: Piero Daniel Maza Gómez CHI
    Assistant Referee 1: Juan Andrés Serrano Santibáñez CHI
    Assistant Referee 2: Alejandro Javier Molina Bravo CHI
    Fourth Official: Fernando André Véjar Díaz CHI
    Video Assistant Referee: Roy Yazid Monge Acuña CRC
    Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jesús Alberto Montero Fuentes CRC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I care this much about small details, don't be mad at me :p

      Delete
    2. People will say you're my alter ego ;)

      Delete
  57. SVNCYP
    2YC for follow-through step on ankle:
    https://streambug.org/cv/888b6a

    NIRGUI
    RC for DOGSO:
    https://streambug.org/cv/bcb0a3

    ReplyDelete
  58. Clear foul missed before France goal by Gishamer and his VAR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agree. Clear foul missed and unexpected VAR silence here.

      Delete
  59. Strange situation at the end of the first half between France and Côte d’Ivoire where a Côte d’Ivoire player elbowed deliberately imo Gishamer who took some time after getting hit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://x.com/i/status/2062626516354085327

      Delete
  60. FRACIV

    45' - Goal FRA, possible foul in APP
    https://streambug.org/cv/a8a94f

    45+2' - Possible VC on referee
    https://streambug.org/cv/37fd91

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 100 % violent conduct towards the referee. That player has something wrong in the head. Didn’t even apologise. 100 % deliberate act that was clearly avoidable.

      Delete
    2. Absolutely a VC this should been a RC for sure

      Delete
    3. No doubt: RC and cause of missing apology or taking care in other way the player should be banned from international games for at least 3 months!

      Delete
  61. ESPIRQ

    57' - YC 24IRQ for reckless tackle, potential SFP
    https://streambug.org/cv/24ffbc

    80' - YC 2IRQ for reckless tackle, potential SFP
    https://streambug.org/cv/f93f1b

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Btw, Badstübner is another Letexier regarding fitness and positioning - phenomenal!

      Delete
    2. Together with Jablonski the biggest promise for the near future of German Refereeing imo!

      Delete
  62. Very clear violent conduct on Austrian referee who either didn't realize that or he wasn't sure becaus focused on the game, but VAR should have intervened. The player knew referee was there, this is enough, in an official game this would be extremely controversial, but OK, maybe exactly because it was a friendly, CIV player did that...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Imo clear VC, CIV player was frustrated for the no call before french goal few minutes before and clearly focus the ref here and hit him deliberately.

      Delete
    2. Just notice that too. Kessié just made that as a revenge to goal decision. Unbelievable act and FIFA must investigate here !

      Delete
    3. I saw this video on Facebook and thought the same thing. Disgusting act of violence. Most of my faith in football is lost. Sad. Would love to say more but I don’t see a point. IFAB must do something drastic and harsh with the laws to stop this madness from occurring at all, and FIFA must sanction very harshly federations who fail to support their referees and comply with the laws. The world will end before that happens though.

      Delete
  63. Who will officiate Bolivia v Scotland?

    ReplyDelete
  64. Dears, when should FIFA Ref appointments for WC matches be available IYO?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The appointments are published 2 days prior to the game

      Delete
  65. Szymon Marciniak is to be given the opening match of the World Cup

    ReplyDelete
  66. May be ramon abbati or joao pinheiro

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr Pinheiro would be very busy if you were in charge!

      Delete
  67. High drama in Portuguese friendly two reds both correct decision wow it was a WWE match at the 45th minute

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://x.com/DAZN_BENL/status/2063335734765826461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2063335734765826461%7Ctwgr%5E21a1be16b97ac644fe40e35ba6ceaebc418657cd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hln.be%2Fwk-voetbal%2Flive-wk-voetbal-gastland-vs-de-boot-in-tegen-duitsland-ondanks-heerlijke-pegel-oefenduel-tussen-portugal-en-chili-ontaardt-even-in-knokpartija3c3e7fe%2F

      Delete
  68. SWITZERLAND - AUSTRALIA
    Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva USA
    Assistant Referee 1: Cory Richardson USA
    Assistant Referee 2: Felisha Mariscal USA
    Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan USA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Koroleva wearing a "FIFA Assistant Referee 2025" badge and not a regular one from 2026 for some reason

      Delete
  69. Still no referee known for Bolivia v Scotland??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have asked and looked around but to no joy, will know shortly I suppose (hopefully)

      Delete
  70. Rosendo Mendoza referee for Scotland v Bolivia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VAR was from Costa Rica though I didn't catch the name

      Delete
    2. Thanks ive been looking everywhere for the last 2 days.

      Delete
    3. Terrible that they don't show match officials names in games played in USA (at least here).

      Delete
    4. I'm watching without audio commentary (out in a music venue showing the game), camera panned to the referee and team on 3 occasions pre match and no graphic which is very poor.

      Delete
    5. Btw, why are US referees the only one not using adidas kit ?

      Delete
    6. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    7. Referee with white laces. Like going back to the 1980s when English fa insisted their referees wore white laces. Doing a good job so far

      Delete
    8. Ricardo Montero (CRC) seems to be the 4th official.

      Delete
    9. Ricardo Montero is a USA official nowadays, refereeing in MLS. Also according to BBC, AR1 and 2 are Ryan Graves and Kali Smith and not what osmanabbot said

      Delete
    10. https://kommodo.ai/i/65UncZbhe5kWOieogcku

      Apologies if I am wrong but having looked at the PRO website it does look like Elliott and Garner to me but if someone can clarify I would appreciate

      Delete
    11. Looks much more like Graves and Smith imo

      Delete
    12. https://proreferees.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GRAVES-RYAN-200x300.jpg

      It's absolutely Graves furthest to the right at least

      Delete
    13. Yep my apologies for the inaccuracy, it is Graves and Smith. (My fault on the whole but Garner and Smith do look similar and the host broadcaster not putting up a graphic is extremely unhelpful.)

      Delete
    14. American referees (PRO) don't have a contract with adidas.

      Delete
  71. Nothing to do for Mendoza so far. Bizarre decision now where Bolivia clearly used an advantage getting a shot on goal and he pulls it back for the foul

    ReplyDelete
  72. I watched the full 90 minutes of England New Zealand. I was very surprised and impressed by the American woman Natalie Simmons, she was brilliant and flawless the All game and both assistant referees nailed the assignment. Job well done

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You shouldn't be too harsh on referees handling friendlies but I don't agree with this - her foul recognition was not at all predictable and she didn't inspire much confidence in her calls. Certainly, these two decisions she gave in favour of England's Toney were extremely amateurish (Simon guessed both times because she hadn't read the play properly and not made the according move leftwards) and stood out to me.

      https://streamff.link/v/b7484e8d

      Delete
  73. GREITA

    68' - RC for DOGSO
    https://streambug.org/cv/250ec4

    Excellent decision by Frid. Although at the moment of the foul the ball was still behind the players involved, the likelihood of the attacker getting control of the ball and having an obvious goal-scoring opportunity was 100%.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not an easy call, excellent decision.

      Delete
    2. Frid always shows the cards in "Italian" manner - holding the card with two fingers ))

      Delete
  74. Reports suggest that Somali Omar Artan has been sent back to Turkiye.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unacceptable, this is a disaster for FIFA to give the responsibility of this event to a country who is not allowing a referee or the photographer from Iraq to just do their jobs is shameful. Sorry for him tbh.

      Delete
  75. It's absolutely shocking what we hear about the Somali referee, FIFA thinking about technology, innovations, but missing the basic concept: caring about referees and protecting them. It's very sad.
    All match officials should have been helped since their official call at WC, just to avoid such situations.
    I have negative feelings about this event in USA. You see, I wrote very few comments about it, almost zero.
    Why? Because it's clear that the modern trend is about making a show and not the world cup. I'm really sad for this reason, but I keep the hope that I can be proven wrong by facts (it will be hard, though).
    I love football and refereeing, but I'm very sceptical about how things have turned.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Quite frankly it is embarrassing but not surprising given recent trends on the news of the Somali referee who it appears had his dream taken away from him by circumstances outwith his control. FIFA have completely lost their way and I for one have a real disinterest in the whole tournament with the exception of my own national team who are appearing for the first time in a while. Usually there would be excitement, positivity, optimism amongst many feelings and emotions but I do feel that we are slowly drifting into this world cup with a great apathetic approach and no matter how much "spin" the organisers and hosts out on it, I doubt this will be a world cup to remember.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Olivier Safari, president of the African arbitration committee, needs to take precautions. The honor of the Somali judge is beyond reproach due to intercontinental political issues.

      Delete
    2. Infantino should be on the phone to the president about this if he cares so much about team 1 like he stated in his recent post.

      Delete
    3. There is only one clear voice to be heard - all the referees invited to WC26' should sign a letter, proclaiming their solidarity with Mr. Artan and collectively warning all parties, they will not walk into any stadium unless the Somali referee is allowed to join their camp.

      Delete
  77. How much could this story involving the Somali referee, which will almost certainly be resolved unless there is an unprecedented FIFA failure, affect the African official World Cup itself?
    He is already gaining sympathy from the public, especially with news being published against U.S. policies for entering the country. How will Pierluigi Collina handle the young referee? Will he be given just one match and no more? Will he receive different treatment?
    What is certain is that he has not been able to prepare for the World Cup in the same way as all the other referees, and that is an extremely serious issue. Collina talks a lot about technology these days, praising what is supposed to be an exceptional World Cup, and then situations like this happen. Better if I stop here, I think you know my opinion about this WC and more generally, FIFA current situation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FIFA President Infantino must do be the natural guarantor of WC rather than Ref Committee or Collina, to be honest.

      Delete
    2. However, a smart solution could be to initially appoint Somali Ref for matches in Mexico and Canada, where US restrictions do not apply, waiting for eventual USA restriction modifying for him in the meanwhile.

      Delete
    3. The crews for all group games are already set by FIFA. The Somali referee Artan is not linked to a full crew, hence his assignments would have been as 4th Official.

      Delete
  78. Interesting situation on France goal, imo Mbappé is clearly in front of the keeper and obstructing him. Goal confirmed by VAR which is wrong imo.

    ReplyDelete
  79. NEDUZB (Pennington)

    30' Penalty awarded after reckless tackle, missed YC
    https://streambug.org/cv/13c6d8

    44' PAI tripping, correct play-on, negligible contact
    https://streambug.org/cv/07bc97

    74' Wrong YC for the fouled player
    https://streambug.org/cv/d89acd

    83' FK and RC for DOGSO handball; which handball should be punished - the one outside or inside the penalty area?
    https://streambug.org/cv/1b8f3a

    90+7' Penalty awarded for holding, missed YC? penalty execution rightly deemed correct in spite of UZB protests
    https://streambug.org/cv/40b72d

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very challenging game, the situation in 83' is incredible to happen. Both handballs are punishable, you could even give penalty and RC for DOGSO, but the first touch by arm doesn't make it an OGSO anymore in my opinion, So I think it's OK to go for RC and free kick to punish the first touch.
      In 30', a very mandatory card was missed, but it seems clear she applied the "friendly" approach, even in the very last incident, good call, but missing card.
      44' is tricky, you think that referee made such a complicated assessment, I rather tend to believe she was rather unsure whether to whistle or not, but from the pitch, such kind of action, results always in a whistled penalty (I don't say that to discredit the referee, but I have this feeling).

      Delete
  80. Any info for the ref in Saudi Arabia vs Senegal?

    ReplyDelete
  81. ENGLAND - COSTA RICA
    Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva (USA)
    Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Tanaka (CAN)
    Assistant Referee 2: Twayne Anderson (CAN)
    Fourth Official: Alex Billeter (USA)
    VAR: Chris Penso (USA)
    AVAR: Lukasz Szpala (USA)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Name of Assistant Referee 1 is Tanaka-Freundt, not Tanaka

      Delete

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